Effects of a school-based integrative neuromuscular training exercise intervention on physical fitness among children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week, school-based integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on the fitness levels of seventy-eight, 4–12-year-old children with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children participated in an INT intervention, consisting of three, one-hour sessions per week. Physical fitness was assessed pre-and post-intervention using a modified Eurofit test battery and analysed using a 3x2 ANOVA. This INT intervention resulted in significant improvements of physical fitness (p