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Physical activity interventions improve multiple developmental outcomes in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, with an overall adjusted effect size of g=0.58.

This second-order meta-analysis of 34 first-order meta-analyses found that physical activity interventions yield significant positive effects across developmental domains in children and adolescents with ASD, with an overall adjusted effect size of g=0.58. The largest effects were observed for motor skills and sleep quality, while executive function and cognitive outcomes showed more modest effects. Outdoor activities and ball sports showed larger pooled effects than other intervention types.

Last updated: Aug 20, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score49/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Physical Activity Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Autism: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis.

observational

Wang W · Journal of autism and developmental disorders (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Physical activity interventions (including outdoor activities, ball sports, water-based exercise, dance, and expressive movement)
Outcome: Multiple developmental outcomes including motor skills, sleep quality, executive function, cognitive outcomes, and emotional-behavioral outcomes
Effect Size: g=0.58 (adjusted overall effect size)
Population: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Result:

PubMed: 42599629DOI: 10.1007/s10803-026-07496-w

Mechanism Graph

Physical activity interventions are implemented in children and adolescents with ASD
↓
Interventions target various developmental domains (motor, cognitive, emotional-behavioral, sleep)
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Meta-analytic synthesis aggregates effects across 34 first-order meta-analyses
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Result: Significant positive effects with g=0.58, with domain-specific variations

Limitations

  • ⚠Substantial heterogeneity across included primary studies and meta-analyses may affect the robustness of pooled estimates
  • ⚠The positive association between publication year and effect size suggests potential changes in intervention design, study quality, or publication bias that were not fully accounted for

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall effect size of physical activity interventions in children with autism?▼

The adjusted overall effect size is g=0.58, indicating a moderate positive effect across developmental outcomes.

Which outcomes show the largest improvements from physical activity interventions in ASD?▼

Motor skills and sleep quality showed the largest effects, while executive function and cognitive outcomes showed relatively modest effects.

Are all types of physical activity equally effective for children with autism?▼

No, outdoor activities and ball sports showed larger pooled effects, whereas water-based exercise, dance, and expressive movement did not show statistically significant effects in this analysis.

Why might effect sizes have increased over time in this meta-analysis?▼

The positive association between publication year and effect size may reflect changes in intervention design, study quality, or publication trends, but further investigation is needed.

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References

  1. 1.Wang W. "Physical Activity Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Autism: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis.." Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. PMID: 42599629 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-026-07496-w
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.