The effects of 12 week exercise program on motor sufficiency and physical suitability of autistic children

This study was applied with the aim of defining the effects of 12 week exercise program on motor sufficiency and physical suitability parameters of Autistic children. 14 male students, who were diagnosed by the specialist doctors at psychiatry department for children in Agri Public Hospital with A-Type Autism according to the DSM-IV – TR criteria, were taken to the study. Besides, 14 male students who were studying at primary schools connected to Ministry of Education and showing normal development were added to the study. These 28 male students who were added to the study scattered into four groups sequently (age average, Autistic: 10,07 ± 0.25,normal: 10.07±0.30 years). Group I was the group of Autistic Exercise Group (AEG), Group II was the Autistic Control Group (ACG), Group III was the Healthy Exercise Group Showing Normal Development (HEGSND) and the Group IV was defined as Healthy Control Group Showing Normal Development (HCGSND). Exercises were applied to the children in AEG ( n = 7) and HEGSND for 3 days a week and about 60 minutes a day. The other control groups have not attended any regular exercise program for 12 weeks. The parameters of Bruininks - Oseretsky Rough Motor Sufficiency Tests (BOT2), like running speed, fleetness, balance, bilateral coordination and power, were applied to all the groups at beginning and ending of 12 week exercise training and also, muscle power (Hand-Grasping), Reaction (visual-audial), flexibility (sit-access) tests of the parameters of physical suitability were applied as a pre-test and final test. The statistical evaluation of the data was done by using SPSS 15.0 Statistic Package Program. Wilcoxon Test was used for changes in group, and Mann - Whitney U Test was used for changes among the groups. At the results of the comparison for the statistical evaluation of the data of AEG for physical suitability related to health and motor, a significant difference was seen on favor of final test in running speed and fleetness, balance I and II, long jumping while standing, right and left hands reaction time (visual-audial), grasping power (right- left) and flexibility tests (sit – reach) (p<0.05). At the results of the comparison for the statistical evaluation of the data of HCGSND, a significant difference was seen on favor of final test in running speed and fleetness, balance II, right- left hands reaction time (visual-audial), grasping power (right- left) and flexibility tests (sit – reach) (p<0.05). And in consequence of statistical comparison of the data for AEG and HCGSND, a significant difference was seen on favor of AEG in balance I and II, long jumping while standing, right-left hand audial reaction and hand grasping power (right-left) (p<0.05). In conclusion, we can state that directing Autistic children to any branch of sports from years before school will contribute to the development of physical suitability parameters related both motor and health, more than those showing normal development. Key Words: Autism, BOT2, Exercise, Physical Suitability.