Advance in the effects of exercise interventions on motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder

HOU Yaoqi; FENG Mengyao; LEI Zonghan; WANG Yan; SHI Wenying; SONG Xiangqin

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0573

PDF(606 KB)

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6) : 686-691. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0573

Review

Advance in the effects of exercise interventions on motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder

HOU Yaoqi¹, FENG Mengyao¹, LEI Zonghan², WANG Yan¹, SHI Wenying¹, SONG Xiangqin¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly show motor deficits that impair daily functioning and constrain social and cognitive development.This review summarizes the effects of exercise interventions—physical activity, comprehensive fitness training, aquatic exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, exergaming, and equestrian activities—on motor ability in children with ASD.Results indicate that various forms of exercise interventions can effectively enhance motor skills in children with ASD, including both gross and fine motor skills, as well as physical fitness components such as strength, balance, and endurance.Integrated physical fitness training and aquatic exercises show particularly significant improvements in gross motor skills, while yoga, Tai Chi, and equestrian therapy are more effective in enhancing fine motor skills.Furthermore, regardless of the type, all exercise interventions contribute positively to improving physical fitness levels and promoting overall physical development in children with ASD.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / motor intervention / motor ability / gross motor skills / fine motor skills / physical fitness

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

HOU Yaoqi, FENG Mengyao, LEI Zonghan, WANG Yan, SHI Wenying, SONG Xiangqin. Advance in the effects of exercise interventions on motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(6): 686-691 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0573

References

[1] Lord C, Brugha TS, Charman T, et al.Autism spectrum disorder[J].Nat Rev Dis Primers, 2020, 6(1): 5.
[2] Taylor MJ, Rosenqvist MA, Larsson H, et al.Etiology of autism spectrum disorders and autistic traits over time[J].JAMA Psychiatry, 2020, 77(9): 936-943.
[3] Harris E.Autism prevalence has been on the rise in the US for decades—and that′s progress[J].JAMA, 2023, 329(20): 1724-1726.
[4] Gallin Z, Kolevzon AM, Reichenberg A, et al.Racial differences in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2024, 55(9): 3364-3377.
[5] Chu CH, Tsai CL, Chen FC, et al.The role of physical activity and body-related perceptions in motor skill competence of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder[J].Disabil Rehabil, 2019, 42(10): 1373-1381.
[6] 于素梅.学生运动能力标准的旨趣与系统建构[J].中国教育学刊, 2025, (1): 72-76.
Yu SM.The purpose and systematic construction of student sports ability standards[J].Chin Educ J, 2025, (1): 72-76.(in Chinese)
[7] 张连成, 朱良昊, 刘美廷, 等.锻炼行为的决定因素模型:基于锻炼行为发生的实然逻辑[J].体育科学, 2025, 45(5): 28-38.
Zhang LC, Zhu LH, Liu MT, et al.The determinant factor model of exercise behavior: Based on the realistic logic of exercise behavior occurrence[J].China Sport Sci, 2025, 45(5): 28-38.(in Chinese)
[8] Sutapa P, Pratama KW, Rosly MM, et al.Improving motor skills in early childhood through goal-oriented play activity[J].Children (Basel), 2021, 8(11): 994.
[9] Bremer E, Lloyd M.Baseline behaviour moderates movement skill intervention outcomes among young children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Autism, 2021, 25(7): 2025-2033.
[10] Haghighi AH, Broughani S, Askari R, et al.Combined physical training strategies improve physical fitness, behavior, and social skills of autistic children[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2022, 53(11): 4271-4279.
[11] Rafie F, Ghasemi A, Zamani Jam A, et al.Effect of exercise intervention on the perceptual-motor skills in adolescents with autism[J].J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 2017, 57(1-2): 53-59.
[12] Bremer E, Balogh R, Lloyd M.Effectiveness of a fundamental motor skill intervention for 4-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study[J].Autism, 2014, 19(8): 980-991.
[13] Sansi A, Nalbant S, Ozer D.Effects of an inclusive physical activity program on the motor skills, social skills and attitudes of students with and without autism spectrum disorder[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2020, 51(7): 2254-2270.
[14] Castaño PRL, Suárez DPM, González ER, et al.Effects of physical exercise on gross motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2023, 54(8): 2816-2825.
[15] Brand S, Jossen S, Holsboer-Trachsler E, et al.Impact of aerobic exercise on sleep and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders—a pilot study[J].Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 2015, 11: 1911-1920.
[16] Kaplánová A, Šišková N, Grznárová T, et al.Physical education and development of locomotion and gross motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Sustainability, 2022, 15(1): 28.
[17] Hassani F, Shahrbanian S, Shahidi SH, et al.Playing games can improve physical performance in children with autism[J].Int J Dev Disabil, 2020, 68(2): 219-226.
[18] Najafabadi MG, Sheikh M, Hemayattalab R, et al.The effect of SPARK on social and motor skills of children with autism[J].Pediatr Neonatol, 2018, 59(5): 481-487.
[19] Rafiei Milajerdi H, Sheikh M, Najafabadi MG, et al.The effects of physical activity and exergaming on motor skills and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Games Health J, 2021, 10(1): 33-42.
[20] Caputo G, Ippolito G, Mazzotta M, et al.Effectiveness of a multisystem aquatic therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2018, 48(6): 1945-1956.
[21] Marzouki H, Soussi B, Selmi O, et al.Effects of aquatic training in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Biology (Basel), 2022, 11(5): 657.
[22] Pan CY.Effects of water exercise swimming program on aquatic skills and social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders[J].Autism, 2010, 14(1): 9-28.
[23] Fragala-Pinkham MA, Haley SM, O′Neil ME.Group swimming and aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study[J].Dev Neurorehabil, 2011, 14(4): 230-241.
[24] Battaglia G, Agrò G, Cataldo P, et al.Influence of a specific aquatic program on social and gross motor skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: Three case reports[J].J Funct Morphol Kinesiol, 2019, 4(2): 27.
[25] Ansari S, Hosseinkhanzadeh AA, AdibSaber F, et al.The effects of aquatic versus kata techniques training on static and dynamic balance in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2020, 51(9): 3180-3186.
[26] Helsel BC, Foster RNS, Sherman J, et al.A remotely delivered yoga intervention for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Feasibility and effectiveness for improving skills related to physical activity[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2022, 53(10): 3958-3967.
[27] Sarabzadeh M, Azari BB, Helalizadeh M.The effect of six weeks of Tai Chi Chuan training on the motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder[J].J Bodyw Mov Ther, 2019, 23(2): 284-290.
[28] Kaur M, Bhat A.Creative yoga intervention improves motor and imitation skills of children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Phys Ther, 2019, 99(11): 1520-1534.
[29] Shanker S, Pradhan B.Effect of yoga on the motor proficiency of children with autism spectrum disorder and the feasibility of its inclusion in special school environments[J].Adapt Phys Activ Q, 2022, 39(2): 247-267.
[30] Dickinson K, Place M.A randomised control trial of the impact of a computer-based activity programme upon the fitness of children with autism[J].Autism Res Treat, 2014, 2014: 419653.
[31] Hilton CL, Cumpata K, Klohr C, et al.Effects of exergaming on executive function and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study[J].Am J Occup Ther, 2013, 68(1): 57-65.
[32] Travers BG, Mason AH, Mrotek LA, et al.Biofeedback-based, videogame balance training in autism[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2017, 48(1): 163-175.
[33] Edwards J, Jeffrey S, May T, et al.Does playing a sports active video game improve object control skills of children with autism spectrum disorder?[J].J Sport Health Sci, 2017, 6(1): 17-24.
[34] Gabriels RL, Agnew JA, Holt KD, et al.Pilot study measuring the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on school-age children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders[J].Res Autism Spectr Disord, 2012, 6(2): 578-588.
[35] Wuang YP, Wang CC, Huang MH, et al.The effectiveness of simulated developmental horse-riding program in children with autism[J].Adapt Phys Activ Q, 2010, 27(2): 113-126.
[36] Zhao M, You Y, Li J, et al.The effects of therapeutic horseback riding program on motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Int J Ment Health Promot, 2022, 24(4): 475-489.
[37] Monteiro CE, Da Silva E, Sodré R, et al.The effect of physical activity on motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis[J].Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022, 19(21): 14081.
[38] Penn IW, Sung WH, Lin CH, et al.Effects of individualized Tai-Chi on balance and lower-limb strength in older adults[J].BMC Geriatr, 2019, 19(1): 235.
[39] Yan JH.Tai Chi practice improves senior citizens′ balance and arm movement control[J].J Aging Phys Act, 1998, 6(3): 271-284.
[40] Wehner C, Blank C, Arvandi M, et al.Effect of Tai Chi on muscle strength, physical endurance, postural balance and flexibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med, 2021, 7(1): e000817.
[41] Xue Z, Zhang W, Zhou N, et al.Effects of virtual reality motor games on motor skills in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Front Psychol, 2025, 15: 1483370.
[42] Ren Z, Wu J.The effect of virtual reality games on the gross motor skills of children with cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials[J].Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019, 16(20): 3885.