Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39306656›Full record

SynthesisJournal of autism and developmental disorders2026

Prescription of Exercise Programs for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review.

Sofia S Ataíde, José P Ferreira, Maria J Campos

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Motor Performance in Autistic Youth From Childhood Through Adolescence: Evidence for Both Sustained and Widening Group Differences.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sofia S AtaídeUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra University Stadium, Conímbriga Avenue, Pavilion 3, 3040-248, Coimbra, Portugal. sofiaataide1@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4866-0027
José P FerreiraUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra University Stadium, Conímbriga Avenue, Pavilion 3, 3040-248, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4427-3276
Maria J CamposUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra University Stadium, Conímbriga Avenue, Pavilion 3, 3040-248, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-3534

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Physical exercise offers health benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the literature on recommendations for exercise prescription is still limited. This study aims to identify the most beneficial type of exercise program and present the most effective guidelines for its prescription in individuals with ASD. A systematic review was carried out using the ERIC, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Of a total of 1114 studies, 18 were considered eligible. Overall, the type of programs included aerobic exercise sessions with an average duration of 12 weeks, with 3 weekly sessions of 45 to 60 min. The assessment included the shuttle test protocol, the progressive cardiovascular endurance running protocol and the modified Bruce protocol. For the muscle strength exercises, the sessions lasted an average of 12 weeks, with 2 weekly sessions of 10 to 20 min, including 2 to 4 exercises, 1 to 3 sets, with 6 to 12 repetitions. The assessments included the handgrip strength test, the modified curve-up test and the push-up test. The programs had positive effects on cardiorespiratory capacity and hemodynamics, indicating that the benefits of training increase when both capacities are combined. This study provides useful guidelines for adapted sports coaches to prescribe exercise programs aimed at promoting quality of life in individuals with ASD.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderExerciseExercise TherapyHumansQuality of LifeHeart ratePhysical exercise programResistance trainingStrength capacity

Identifiers

PMID39306656
PMCPMC12860850

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.