Impact of physical activity on executive function in primary school children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) has many significant health benefits for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesise published studies focusing on the effect of PA interventions on executive function (EF) 6–12-year-old-children with ASD...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Developmental Disabilities Vol. 72; no. 5; pp. 913 - 933
Autores principales: Villodres, Gracia Cristina, Ruiz-Prieto, Sofía, Muros, José Joaquín
Formato: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Aug2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2026
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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        10.1080/20473869.2024.2385637
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        atl: Impact of physical activity on executive function in primary school children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.
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          Villodres, Gracia Cristina
          Ruiz-Prieto, Sofía
          Muros, José Joaquín
        affil: Department of Didactics of Corporal Expression, University of Granada, Granada, España
      sug:
        subj:
          Physical Activity Evaluation
          Executive Function Evaluation
          Autism Spectrum Disorder Rehabilitation
          Students, Elementary Psychosocial Factors
          Children with Disabilities Psychosocial Factors
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Male
          Female
          Child
          PubMed
          Psycinfo
          Cognition
          Child Behavior
          Memory, Short Term
          Problem Solving
          Cognitive Flexibility
          Video Games
          Funding Source
          Child: 6-12 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objectives: Physical activity (PA) has many significant health benefits for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesise published studies focusing on the effect of PA interventions on executive function (EF) 6–12-year-old-children with ASD. To our knowledge, no systematic review has yet been conducted to examine the effects of PA interventions on EF in primary school children with ASD. Findings from this review could aid primary school professionals in identifying effective interventions to address EF difficulties. Methods: The present systematic review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies found in the Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were analysed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, a total of seven eligible articles were carefully analysed. All studies included in the present review were analysed for methodological rigour and risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration Guide. Results: Traditional PA interventions based on table tennis, basketball skills, non-static bicycling, mixed martial arts and Chinese mind-body exercise were beneficial to EF. Further, innovative tools such as exergames spoke to the interest of students and were a good option to bring into the classroom to improve EF. Conclusions: Available evidence does not allow definitive conclusions regarding the cognitive benefits of PA alone. More scientific evidence is needed to establish firm conclusions about the type of interventions that specifically improve EF in children with ASD and provide accurate information to the scientific and educational community.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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