Barry Ashlyn, Haegele Justin A, Schaefer Daniel, Pickett Kristen A, Columna Luis
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States.
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, United States.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s10803-025-07017-1.
Strength training can be a beneficial form of physical activity (PA), but little research has examined how autistic individuals experience it or what makes programs accessible and supportive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to explore autistic young adults' experiences with strength training, and (2) examine their recommendations for designing programs that meet their needs. Thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22-25) participated in semi-structured interviews about their strength training experiences and preferences for program design. A qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist lens guided reflexive analysis. Participants described key factors that influenced their participation in strength training, including social support, knowledgeable coaching, and the physical and mental benefits of participation. They emphasized the need for programs that accommodate sensory preferences, provide flexible scheduling, and offer both group and individual training options. These findings highlight ways to improve strength training accessibility for autistic young adults and inform the development of more inclusive programs. Future research should include participants without previous strength training experience and of various ethnic and racial backgrounds.
力量训练可以是一种有益的体育活动形式，但很少有研究探讨自闭症患者如何体验力量训练，或者什么样的项目便于他们参与并能提供支持。因此，本研究的目的有两个：（1）探索自闭症青年成年人的力量训练经历，（2）研究他们对设计满足其需求的项目的建议。13名自闭症青年成年人（年龄在22至25岁之间）参与了关于他们力量训练经历以及项目设计偏好的半结构化访谈。一种带有建构主义视角的定性描述方法指导了反思性分析。参与者描述了影响他们参与力量训练的关键因素，包括社会支持、知识渊博的教练以及参与训练带来的身心益处。他们强调项目需要适应感官偏好、提供灵活的日程安排，并提供团体和个人训练选择。这些发现突出了改善自闭症青年成年人力量训练可及性的方法，并为更具包容性的项目开发提供了参考。未来的研究应纳入没有先前力量训练经验以及具有不同种族和民族背景的参与者。
