This study will investigate the effect of physical activity on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in individuals with ASD of different age groups through measuring the hemodynamic, heart activity and respiratory system parameters.
One hundred participants will be included in this study. One hundred typically developed children or control group and one hundred children with ASD group. The age range of participants will be 4 - 18 years old. The participants in both control and ASD groups will be randomly divided into 4 subgroups according to their age (4-7 years old, 7-10 years old, 10-13 years old and, 14-18 years old). Also, ASD group will be categorized according to the symptoms severity using the childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Participants will be excluded if they have any intellectual disability (IQ ≤ 70), co-morbid medical or psychiatric disorders, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) or Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). They will also be excluded if they are taking any medications which to affect cardiovascular system, respiratory system, or arousal and balance or any other contraindications to exercises. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition24 will be used to assess the Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
The participant will walk for 3-minutes at this speed as a warming up period. After these 3-minutes, the speed will be increased gradually up to 5-6 km/minute under the supervision of parents and therapist. The children will perform 10-minute running at this speed. After this, the cooling down exercise will be performed for 3-minutes. The speed will be decreased for 2 km/ minute and gradually stop.
Jazan University
Jizan, Gizan, Saudi Arabia
ECG measurements
A wearable device will be used to collet cardiac ECG data.
Time frame: One minute
Measurements of respiration
Portable Respiratory Monitor will be used to measure the respiratory activity.
Time frame: 5 minutes
Blood pressure measurement
Manual sphygmomanometer will be used to measure the blood pressure.
Time frame: 5 minutes
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