Autistic children have a more sedentary lifestyle than other children, a new research by the Oregon State University shows.
Researchers found that children with autism spectrum disorder do not engage in physical activity. The results of the research reveal that the average autistic child performs 50 minutes less moderate physical activity and sits for an extra average 70 minutes every day.
For the study, the researchers examined 17 autistic children and 12 children without the disorder. Children were required to undergo fitness tests and wear accelerometers for a week to measure their physical activity levels.
Researchers found that the autistic children were more sedentary; however, they were mostly on par with their peers when it came to fitness. The strength test was the only test where autistic children scored significantly lower than the children in the control group.
"These kids, compared to their peers, are similarly fit," researcher Megan MacDonald, an assistant professor in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences, said in a news release. "That's really exciting, because it means those underlying fitness abilities are there."
"That's really important for parents and teachers to understand, because it opens the door for them to participate in so many activities," she said. "They can do it. Those abilities are there," she said. "We need to work with them to give them opportunities."
MacDonald said that physical fitness and activity are important for living a healthy life, and we learn these behaviors as children. "Anything we can do to help encourage children with autism to be more active is beneficial."
The findings were published in the journal Autism Research and Treatment.
