PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of physical exercise on the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by marked difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. ASD causes varying levels of impairment in individuals’ interactions with their environment, language development, and behavioral regulation. Materials and Methods: This study considered scientific articles, reviews, and clinical studies published between 2010 and 2023 from academic databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsycINFO, that examined the effects of sports and physical activity in individuals with autism. Results: The reviewed studies revealed that group sports have the potential to improve the social skills of individuals with autism, that sports reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve anger control, and increase emotional resilience, that individual and group sports offer different advantages, and that both types can be effective in supporting the physical, emotional, and social development of individuals with autism. Conclusion: The motor skills, social interactions, and emotional regulation of individuals with autism were significantly improved when they participated in physical activity. Sport has a positive impact on not only physical health but also social skills and emotional balance.

Keywords

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Physical Exercise
• Social Skills
• Emotional Development
• Exercise
• Sports Therapy

OTİZM SPEKTRUM BOZUKLUĞUNDA FİZİKSEL EGZERSİZ

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğunun tedavisinde fiziksel egzersizin etkisini incelenmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB), sosyal etkileşim, iletişim ve davranışta belirgin zorluklarla karakterize bir nörogelişimsel bozukluktur. OSB, bireylerin çevreleriyle etkileşimlerinde, dil gelişiminde ve davranış düzenlemesinde çeşitli düzeylerde bozulmaya neden olur. Materyaller ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada, Google Scholar, PubMed ve PsycINFO gibi akademik veri tabanlarından 2010 ile 2023 yılları arasında yayınlanan ve otizmli bireylerde spor ve fiziksel egzersizin etkilerini inceleyen bilimsel makaleler, incelemeler ve klinik çalışmalar ele alınmıştır. Bulgular: İncelenen çalışmalar, grup sporlarının otizmli bireylerin sosyal becerilerini geliştirme potansiyeline sahip olduğunu, sporun kaygı ve stres seviyelerini azalttığını, öfke kontrolünü iyileştirdiğini ve duygusal dayanıklılığı artırdığını, bireysel ve grup sporlarının farklı avantajlar sunduğunu ve her iki türün de otizmli bireylerin fiziksel, duygusal ve sosyal gelişimini desteklemede etkili olabileceğini ortaya koymuştur. Sonuç: Otizmli bireylerin motor becerileri, sosyal etkileşimleri ve duygusal düzenlemeleri fiziksel egzersize katıldıklarında önemli ölçüde iyileşir. Sporun yalnızca fiziksel sağlık üzerinde değil aynı zamanda sosyal beceriler ve duygusal denge üzerinde de olumlu etkisi vardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu
• Fiziksel Egzersiz
• Sosyal Beceriler
• Duygusal Gelişim
• Egzersiz
• Spor Terapisi

Kaynakça

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