Effect of Longitudinal Practice in Real and Virtual Environments on Motor Performance, Physical Activity and Enjoyment in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial

Íbis A. P. Moraes (), Joyce A. Lima, Nadja M. Silva, Amanda O. Simcsik, Ana C. Silveira, Lilian D. C. Menezes, Luciano V. Araújo, Tânia B. Crocetta, Mariana C. Voos, James Tonks, Talita D. Silva, Helen Dawes and Carlos B. M. Monteiro
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Íbis A. P. Moraes: Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Joyce A. Lima: Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Nadja M. Silva: Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
Amanda O. Simcsik: Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Ana C. Silveira: Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Lilian D. C. Menezes: Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
Luciano V. Araújo: Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Tânia B. Crocetta: Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Mariana C. Voos: Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), São Paulo 05014-901, Brazil
James Tonks: College of Medicine and Health, St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Talita D. Silva: Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Helen Dawes: College of Medicine and Health, St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Carlos B. M. Monteiro: Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: (1) Background: People with ASD commonly present difficulty performing motor skills and a decline in physical activity (PA) level and low enjoyment of PA. We aimed to evaluate whether longitudinal practice of an activity in virtual and real environments improves motor performance and whether this improvement is transferred to a subsequent practice when changing the environment, promoting PA and providing enjoyment; (2) Methods: People with ASD, aged between 10 and 16 years, were included and distributed randomly into two opposite sequences. The participants performed a 10 session protocol, with five sessions practicing in each environment (virtual or real). Heart rate measurement was carried out and an enjoyment scale was applied; (3) Results: 22 participants concluded the protocol. Sequence A (virtual first) presented an improvement in accuracy and precision and transferred this when changing environment; they also had a greater change in heart rate reserve. The majority of participants reported “fun” and “great fun” levels for enjoyment; (4) Conclusions: The virtual reality activity presented a higher level of difficulty, with greater gains in terms of transference to the real environment. Considering PA, our task provided very light to light activity and the majority of participants enjoyed the task.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; virtual reality; exercise; motor skills; heart rate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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