An Experimental Study on the Effect of Sports Activities Intervention in Improving Stereotypical Behavior of Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by stereotypical behavior, social impairment, and narrow interests (Koo & Lee, 2019). Although various interventions have been developed to improve autism symptoms, research on the effects of sports activity on the behavior of children with autism is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of movement interventions in running and ball games in improving stereotypical behaviors in children with autism. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 60 children with autism aged 4-6 years. The experimental group received a 12-week physical activity intervention program involving the use of running and ball games and the control group received conventional treatment. The results showed that sports activities intervention significantly reduced stereotypical behaviors such as lack of movement, repetitive movement, and fixed patterns of play in children with autism. Further analysis showed that this effect was mediated by improvements in motor skills, cognitive development, emotional regulation, and social interactions. These findings suggest that sports activity interventions may be a promising approach to improving stereotypical behaviors in children with autism and highlight the importance of addressing multiple levels of functioning in autism interventions.