Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This study examined the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on executive functions and core symptoms among preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 33 ASD preschoolers who received their conventional rehabilitation program wer...
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/5/263 |
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| author | Jin-Gui Wang Ke-Long Cai Zhi-Mei Liu Fabian Herold Liye Zou Li-Na Zhu Xuan Xiong Ai-Guo Chen |
| author_facet | Jin-Gui Wang Ke-Long Cai Zhi-Mei Liu Fabian Herold Liye Zou Li-Na Zhu Xuan Xiong Ai-Guo Chen |
| author_sort | Jin-Gui Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examined the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on executive functions and core symptoms among preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 33 ASD preschoolers who received their conventional rehabilitation program were assigned to either a MBTP group (<i>n</i> = 18) or control group (<i>n</i> = 15). Specifically, the experimental group was required to take an additional 12-week MBTP (five days per week, one session per day, and forty minutes per session), while the control group was instructed to maintain their daily activities. Executive functions and core symptoms (social communication impairment and repetitive behavior) were evaluated by the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), respectively. After the 12-week intervention period, the MBTP group exhibited significantly better performances in working memory (<i>F</i> = 7.51, <i>p</i> < 0.01, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.195) and regulation (<i>F</i> = 4.23, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.12) as compared to the control group. Moreover, the MBTP significantly improved core symptoms of ASD preschoolers, including the social communication impairment (<i>F</i> = 6.02, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.020) and repetitive behavior (<i>F</i> = 5.79, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.016). Based on our findings, we concluded that the 12-week MBTP may improve executive functions and core symptoms in preschoolers with ASD, and we provide new evidence that regular physical exercise in the form of a MBTP is a promising alternative to treat ASD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:08:46Z |
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| id | doaj.art-bdf9311f0b1b4f2282b165979df2808a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:08:46Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-bdf9311f0b1b4f2282b165979df2808a2023-11-19T23:07:45ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252020-04-0110526310.3390/brainsci10050263Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum DisordersJin-Gui Wang0Ke-Long Cai1Zhi-Mei Liu2Fabian Herold3Liye Zou4Li-Na Zhu5Xuan Xiong6Ai-Guo Chen7College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaResearch Group Neuroprotection, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyExercise and Mental Health Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, ChinaSchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100000, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaThis study examined the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on executive functions and core symptoms among preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 33 ASD preschoolers who received their conventional rehabilitation program were assigned to either a MBTP group (<i>n</i> = 18) or control group (<i>n</i> = 15). Specifically, the experimental group was required to take an additional 12-week MBTP (five days per week, one session per day, and forty minutes per session), while the control group was instructed to maintain their daily activities. Executive functions and core symptoms (social communication impairment and repetitive behavior) were evaluated by the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), respectively. After the 12-week intervention period, the MBTP group exhibited significantly better performances in working memory (<i>F</i> = 7.51, <i>p</i> < 0.01, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.195) and regulation (<i>F</i> = 4.23, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.12) as compared to the control group. Moreover, the MBTP significantly improved core symptoms of ASD preschoolers, including the social communication impairment (<i>F</i> = 6.02, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.020) and repetitive behavior (<i>F</i> = 5.79, <i>p</i> < 0.05, partial <i>η</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.016). Based on our findings, we concluded that the 12-week MBTP may improve executive functions and core symptoms in preschoolers with ASD, and we provide new evidence that regular physical exercise in the form of a MBTP is a promising alternative to treat ASD.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/5/263exerciseexecutive functionscore symptomschildrenautism spectrum disorders |
| spellingShingle | Jin-Gui Wang Ke-Long Cai Zhi-Mei Liu Fabian Herold Liye Zou Li-Na Zhu Xuan Xiong Ai-Guo Chen Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Brain Sciences exercise executive functions core symptoms children autism spectrum disorders |
| title | Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| title_full | Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| title_short | Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| title_sort | effects of mini basketball training program on executive functions and core symptoms among preschool children with autism spectrum disorders |
| topic | exercise executive functions core symptoms children autism spectrum disorders |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/5/263 |
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