Analysis of Gross Motor Development in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder before and after a Physical Exercise Program Using Exergames. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified in the literature as a disorder of human neurodevelopment and presents itself in a unique way in each individual. It can alter various behaviors involving communication, speech, social interaction, repetitive movements, and fine and gross motor coordination. In this sense, various functional impairments are observed in people with the disorder. Because of these functional deficits, much research has been done on the motor functions and conditions of these individuals, given the detrimental impact that deficits in motor coordination and executive functions have on independence and the development of social skills, as well as directly affecting health conditions and physical and mental integrity. OBJECTIVE To this end, the aim of this study was to assess the gross motor development of children diagnosed with ASD before and after a period of therapeutic physiotherapy intervention using exergames as a tool. METHODS The study included nine prepubertal males between the ages of seven and ten who underwent a 12-week intervention with two weekly half-hour sessions using exergames. RESULTS Based on the analysis of the data, it was possible to observe a significant difference in the Test of Gross Motor Development-GMQ (52 vs 67; p=0.0277) and in the subtests assessing object control (36 vs 48; p=0.0180) and locomotor performance (0 vs 66; p=0.0277) of the group of participants included in the study. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of this study, the intervention using exergames as a therapeutic tool was the main factor responsible for improving the gross motor development of children diagnosed with ASD.