Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41745682›Full record

ArticleSports (Basel, Switzerland)2026

The Effects of a Sport-Based Training Program on Reaction Time and Fine Motor Coordination in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Fabiana Laurenti, Valentina Presta, Michela Compiani, Gianni Zobbi, Barbara Ilari, Maria Pia Picchi, Eugenia Maré, Federica Severini, Alessandro Guarnieri, Salvatore Mazzei and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

14 authors.

Fabiana LaurentiDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0009-0001-0691-4087
Valentina PrestaDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0820-9135
Michela CompianiUnit of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Prevention, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Via Brigata Reggio, 24/1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Gianni ZobbiUnit of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Prevention, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Via Brigata Reggio, 24/1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Barbara IlariUnit of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Prevention, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Via Brigata Reggio, 24/1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Maria Pia PicchiUnit of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Prevention, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Via Brigata Reggio, 24/1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Eugenia MaréTerritorial Animation and Planning Area, Volunteer Service Center CSV Emilia, Viale Trento Trieste 11, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Federica SeveriniTerritorial Animation and Planning Area, Volunteer Service Center CSV Emilia, Viale Trento Trieste 11, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Alessandro GuarnieriDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1238-8172
Salvatore MazzeiDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0009-0001-3021-4718
Orsola di MartinoDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
Giulia PozziDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
Giancarlo CondelloDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5092-3258
Giuliana GobbiDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1197-3484

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are generally less involved in physical activity and sport. Therefore, the present pilot study aimed at determining the effect of a sport-based training program on motor coordination development and functioning in children with ASD.

methodsTwenty children with ASD (age: 8.7 ± 1.6 years, 5 females) were included in a sport-based training program for 6 months. Participants were free to select their own sport discipline. Before and after the program, reaction time was evaluated using a simple (by identifying the targeted stimulus) and a complex (by discriminating the targeted stimulus among confounding signals) reactive test, while fine and gross motor coordination was assessed by transferring pennies, jumping in place (same sides synchronized), tapping feet and fingers (same side synchronized), and the Flamingo test.

resultsThe analysis showed a significant reduction (

conclusionsA sport-based extra-curricular program improved reaction time and fine motor coordination in children with ASD. The complex reactive and transferring pennies tests were particularly effective in detecting changes, even in low-functioning children. These findings support the promotion of diverse physical activities to aid physical and cognitive development.

Indexed as

intellectual disabilitiesneurodevelopmental disordersphysical activity

Identifiers

PMID41745682
PMCPMC12944551

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.