title: Group swimming and aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a 14-week aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-randomized control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve children participated in this pilot study with seven participants in the aquatic exercise group and five in the control group. The programme was held twice per week for 40 minutes per session. Swimming skills, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, mobility skills and participant and parent satisfaction were measured before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant between-group changes were found. Within-group improvements for swimming skills were found for the intervention group. Programme attendance was high. Parents and children were very satisfied with the programme activities and instructors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot programme was feasible and showed potential for improving swimming ability in children with ASD. Exercise intensity was low for some participants, most likely contributing to a lack of significant findings on fitness outcomes.
authors: Research Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA. mfragala@fhfc.org
authors: Maria A
authors: MA
authors: Fragala-Pinkham
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Haley
authors: Margaret E
authors: ME
authors: O'Neil
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013550:Swimming; D016896:Treatment Outcome