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Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 13(5); 489; doi: 10.3390/healthcare13050489

Effects of Motor Skills and Physical Activity Interventions on Motor Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early childhood and lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. Many studies have confirmed that motor skills and physical activity interventions can improve motor development in ASD individuals and ultimately improve their quality of life. However, systematic evidence is lacking on whether motor skills and physical activity interventions improve motor development among children with ASD. A systematic search of the CNKI, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for publications through 30 July 2023. Citation tracking and reference tracking were also used, and this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Of 8908 studies initially retrieved, 57 met the selection criteria and were evaluated. The overall quality of the evidence, assessed using PEDro, was low. The evaluated studies included 1622 children with ASD, among which 517 were males, from level II to IV, and ranging in age from 3 to 17 years. Five types (physical activity interventions, motor skill interventions, hippotherapy, equine-assisted or simulated horse riding interventions, exergaming interventions, and physical education interventions) of motor development interventions were used, and 57 studies achieved some positive results for improvements in motor development among children with ASD. Furtherly, eight studies reported motor development acquisition, retention, or transfer. Children with ASD learn well from different types of instructors, including teachers, coaches, camp counselors, physical therapists, and peers. Motor skills and physical activity interventions improved motor development among children with ASD, the effect of which would continue until the end of the interventions.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-24 PubMed ID: 40077051PubMed Central: PMC11899540DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13050489Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This systematic review analyzes whether interventions focused on motor skills and physical activities can enhance motor development in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • The review synthesizes findings from multiple studies to evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention types on motor development in children aged 3 to 17 years with ASD.

Background

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in communication, social interaction, and often motor skill deficits.
  • Children with ASD frequently experience difficulties with motor development, which can impact their overall quality of life and independence.
  • Motor skills and physical activity interventions are considered promising approaches to improve these motor deficits and potentially other aspects of development in ASD.
  • Despite many individual studies suggesting benefits, a comprehensive systematic review was needed to evaluate the collective evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions.

Methodology

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across five major databases: CNKI, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering publications up to July 30, 2023.
  • The search also included citation tracking and reference list reviews to ensure thorough coverage of relevant studies.
  • The review followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to maintain methodological rigor and transparency.
  • From an initial pool of 8,908 studies, 57 met the inclusion criteria for detailed evaluation.
  • Quality of studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, though overall quality was determined to be low, indicating potential limitations in study designs or reporting.
  • The studies collectively included 1,622 children diagnosed with ASD, aged between 3 and 17 years, with 517 males specifically reported.

Types of Interventions Reviewed

  • Physical Activity Interventions: Programs involving various exercises and movement activities designed to increase overall physical fitness and motor proficiency.
  • Motor Skill Interventions: Targeted training focusing on developing specific motor abilities such as coordination, balance, and fine/gross motor skills.
  • Hippotherapy: Therapy using horseback riding as a means to improve physical and motor functions, utilizing the horse’s movement to influence posture and balance.
  • Equine-Assisted or Simulated Horse Riding Interventions: Similar to hippotherapy but may use mechanical simulators or structured activities involving horses to enhance motor skills.
  • Exergaming Interventions: Use of interactive video games that require body movement to play, combining physical activity with engaging virtual environments.
  • Physical Education Interventions: Structured school or program-based physical education sessions tailored for children with ASD to promote motor development.

Key Findings

  • All 57 studies reported some positive effects of these interventions on motor development in children with ASD.
  • Improvements were noted across different motor skill domains, indicating that various approaches can enhance motor proficiency.
  • Eight studies specifically reported on motor skill acquisition, retention over time, or transfer of skills to other tasks, suggesting that gains were not merely short-lived.
  • Children with ASD demonstrated the ability to learn motor skills from a variety of instructors, including teachers, coaches, camp counselors, physical therapists, and peers, highlighting flexibility in learning environments.
  • The beneficial effects on motor development generally persisted throughout the duration of the intervention period.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The systematic review supports the idea that motor skills and physical activity interventions are effective in improving motor development in children with ASD.
  • Despite the generally low methodological quality of the included studies, consistent positive findings suggest actual benefits from these interventions.
  • Intervention programs can be delivered by a range of professionals and peers, enhancing accessibility and potential for integration into various settings such as schools, therapy centers, and community programs.
  • Future research is needed to improve study quality, explore long-term outcomes, and identify which specific elements of interventions are most effective for different subgroups of children with ASD.
  • Overall, promoting motor development through such interventions can contribute to better physical health, increased independence, and improved quality of life for children with ASD.

Cite This Article

APA
Xing Y, Wu X. (2025). Effects of Motor Skills and Physical Activity Interventions on Motor Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel), 13(5), 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050489

Publication

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2227-9032
NlmUniqueID: 101666525
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
PII: 489

Researcher Affiliations

Xing, Yu
  • School of Physical Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
  • Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Sports and Health Promotion, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.
Wu, Xueping
  • School of Physical Education and Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China.

Grant Funding

  • Hnjg2024-30 / Hainan Higher Education Educational Reform Research
  • hdcxcy2023-3 / Hainan University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Project

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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