Impact of muscular strength in children with autism spectrum disorder

Limited research has explored the relationship between muscle strength and ASD within pediatric populations, and this forms the primary focus of the current investigation. This study assessed muscle strength in children aged 4 to 7 years, comparing those with ASD (n=34) to those without ASD (n=52). Grip strength and isometric strength of the knee extensor muscles were measured using standardized tests. Ethical considerations were followed, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. Children with ASD demonstrated significantly lower grip strength and knee extensor muscle strength compared to those without ASD (p < 0.05). These findings suggest a negative influence of ASD on muscle strength, potentially impacting functional abilities and quality of life. The study suggests that children with ASD exhibit lower muscle strength compared to their peers without ASD.