The implication of physical activity on attention span and quality of life in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a pilot study
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publisher
Global Science and Technology Forum
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
School of Psychology and Social Science / Lifespan Resilience Research Group
RAS ID
16167
Abstract
This study examined the effects of physical activity on the attention span and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of austism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in Singapore. Male participants (N=12) aged 2-6 years, diagnosed with ASD were randomly assigned to either a physical activity or non-physical activity group. In the physical activity group, participants were administered 8 tri-cycling sessions; both groups of participants were measured for their attention span, and their parents ocmleted the HRQoL questionnaires. Results indicate that as the exercise increases, the physical activity group demonstrated increasingly longer duration of attention span. These results extend the findings that physical activity enhances cognition of ASD children and support its consideration into the early intervention programs.
DOI
10.5176/2251-1865_CBP13.29
Comments
Tan, W. Z., Cohen, L. , & Pooley, J. (2013). The Implication of physical activity on attention span and quality of life in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot study. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (pp. 40-49). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.