title: Physical Activity Levels, Frequency, and Type Among Adolescents with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: We compared time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), type, and frequency of participation in physical activities between adolescents with ASD (n = 35) and typically developing (TD) adolescents (n = 60). Accelerometers measured MVPA and participants were interviewed about engagement in physical activities. Adolescents with ASD spent less time in MVPA compared to TD adolescents (29 min/day vs. 50 min/day, p < 0.001) and fewer met the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (14 vs. 29%, p > 0.05). Among adolescents <16 years old, those with ASD participated in fewer activities than TD adolescents (5.3 vs. 7.1 activities, p < 0.03). Walking/hiking and active video gaming were among the top activities for both groups. Findings support the need for interventions that meet the needs of youth with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA, 02125, USA. heidi.stanish@umb.edu.
authors.forename: Heidi I
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6688-0109
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Stanish
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Must
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maslin
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.|Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bandini
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Accelerometry; Autism spectrum disorder; Exercise; Health; Physical activity; Youth