The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Depression and Academic Performance of University Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autor: Naomi Clark, Susan Ross, Julie Reneau, Julia Matzenbacher dos Santos
Jazyk: English<br />Spanish; Castilian<br />Portuguese
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Revista Contexto & Saúde, Vol 21, Iss 43 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2176-7114
1676-188X
DOI: 10.21527/2176-7114.2021.43.11295
Popis: Depression is the most common Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) co-morbidities, and have been shown to relate to significantly poorer life functioning. ASD can also result in social isolation, debilitating moods, and stereotypical behaviors, which can negative effect academic performance. Young adults with ASD are less likely to enroll in college than are people with other types of disabilities. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of an exercise program on depression and academic performance within university students with ASD. University students with ASD participated in a circuit training exercise protocol for three weeks. Depressive mood states were measured pre-and-post exercise session by a self-report questionnaire, whereas, academic performance was evaluated pre-and-post study by the professor. Participants mood improved after a bout of exercise on the first training day, however, it was not observed in the following weeks. There were no changes in academic performance. Exercise might be effective on academic performance when the protocol is performed at a longer rate. However, a bout of exercise prior to class could ameliorate ASD university student performance during class by the improvement of depression.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals