Effects of Physical Exercise on Motor Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10803-026-07403-3
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism spectrum disorders, Children, Motor skill, Physical exercise
- İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: To examine the impact of physical exercise on motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods: This study followed PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024600538). Six databases (Embase, Engineering Village, OVID, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched through October 30, 2025. Inclusion criteria: children ≤ 12 years with ASD; randomized controlled trials (RCTs); physical exercise interventions; motor skills outcomes measured via standardized instruments (BOT-2, TGMD-2, PDMS-2, ADS-3, MABC). Two independent reviewers performed study selection and data extraction. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane ROB 2.0; evidence quality via GRADE. Statistical analysis used R 4.4.3, calculating standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Random-effects models were applied when I² ≥ 50%. Results: Ten RCTs (256 children; mean age 6.91 ± 2.51 years) were included. Physical exercise significantly improved total motor skills (SMD = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.15-2.00, p < 0.0000), locomotion (SMD = 1.34, 95%CI: 0.98–1.70, p < 0.00001), object control (SMD = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.02–1.72, p < 0.00001), and balance (SMD = 1.73, 95%CI: 0.82–2.65, p = 0.0002). Publication bias was detected for total motor skills and balance. Meta-regression showed that intervention frequency positively correlated with balance improvement (p = 0.022), while duration negatively correlated (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Physical exercise significantly improves motor skills in children with ASD. Meta-regression indicates that frequency is a positive moderator for balance gains, but prolonged duration shows diminishing returns due to adaptation plateaus. Age and session length did not affect the protocol, so it remained flexible.