ERIC Number: EJ1189500
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1469-9532
EISSN: N/A
Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) Improves Inhibition in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ringenbach, Shannon D. R.; Lichtsinn, Katrin C.; Holzapfel, Simon D.
Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, v40 n4 p376-387 2015
Background: A novel exercise modality termed Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) has been used successfully in patients with Parkinson's disease, but its effects in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have not been investigated. Method: The aim was to examine the acute effects of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and motor functioning in adolescents with ASD. Participants (N = 10) randomly completed 3 interventions on nonconsecutive days. The interventions were (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedalling rate; (b) ACT, in which the participants' voluntary pedalling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and watched a video. Results: Participants' inhibition improved significantly and improvements in cognitive planning and set-switching approached significance after a single session of ACT; however, no improvements in inhibition, cognitive planning, or set-switching were observed following the VC or NC sessions. Exercise perception improved after the VC session but did not change after the ACT or NC sessions. Conclusions: ACT appears to benefit cortical structures in adolescents with ASD, but a chronic intervention may be necessary to improve exercise perception and self-efficacy.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Physical Activities, Inhibition, Adolescents, Exercise, Therapy, Cognitive Processes, Psychomotor Skills, Intervention, Outcomes of Treatment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Trail Making Test
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A