TABLE 4.

Studies on Exercise Intervention in the Treatment of Autism.

Study	Sample(s)	Study Design	Age	Interventions	Duration	Outcome Measures	Results
Phung and Goldberg, 2019	34	RCTs	8–11	Mixed martial arts training (2 times/wk, 45 min/session)	13 weeks	SCQ, ADOS-2, WASI-II	The intervention appeared to be efficacious in meeting its goals of improving the executive functioning of children with ASD.
Sarabzadeh et al., 2019	18	RCTs	6–12	Tai chi chuan training (3 times/wk, 60 min/session)	6 weeks	GARS2	Tai chi chuan can improve balance and motion coordination.
Tse et al., 2019	50	RCTs	9.95 (mean)	Basketball skill learning (2 times/wk, 45 min/session)	12 weeks	CBTT, FDS test, BDS tests	Cognition among children with ASD was improved.
Sotoodeh et al., 2017	29	RCTs	7–15	Yoga (3 times/wk, 30 min/session)	8 weeks	ATEC	Yoga training can decrease the severity of autism.
Toscano et al., 2018	64	RCTs	6–12	Basic coordination and strength exercises (2 times/wk, 40 min/session)	48 weeks	CHQ-PF50, CARS	Basic coordination and strength exercises are important therapeutic interventions for children with ASD.

ADOS-2, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Second Edition; ASD, autism spectrum disorder; ATEC, Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist; BDS, backward digit span; CARS, Childhood Autism Rating Scale; CBTT, Corsi block tapping task; CHQ-PF50, Child Health Questionnaire; FDS, forward digit span; GARS2, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale—second edition; SCQ, Lifetime Social Communication Questionnaire; WASI-II, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence—Second Edition.