Physical Activity: Its implication on Attention Span and Quality of Life in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examined the effects of physical activity onthe attention span and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) ofautism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in Singapore. Maleparticipants (N = 12) aged 2-6 years, diagnosed with ASD wererandomly assigned to either a physical activity or non-physicalactivity group. In the physical activity group, participants wereadministered 8 tri-cycling sessions; both groups of participantswere measured for their attention span, and their parentscompleted the HRQoL questionnaires. Results indicate that asthe exercise increases, the physical activity group demonstratedincreasingly longer duration of attention span. These resultsextend the findings that physical activity enhances cognition ofASD children and support its consideration into the earlyintervention programs