The Effect of Pilates Training on Physical Performance and Social Skills in Children with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 565 - 578, 30.09.2023

Nazan Öztürk , Ayşe Kübra Söyler , Selvinaz Saçan , Fatma Ünver , Derya Adıbelli , Selen Serel Arslan

https://doi.org/10.46237/amusbfd.1321226

Abstract

Objective: Aerobic training has been recommended for children with autism due to its important benefits on physical, cognitive and behavioral functions of children. Nevertheless, there is no evidence regarding the effects of pilates training in children with autism. The present study was aimed to determine the effects of pilates training by comparing the effects of AT on muscle strength, balance performance, gross motor skills and social skills in children with autism.
Method: A total of 22 children with autism were included in the study. As outcome measures, maximal isometric muscle strength, balance performance, gross motor skills and social skills were evaluated.
Results: Improvements were observed in both training groups in balance performance and gross motor skills scores, but no improvement in social skills score (p < 0.05). There was a significant improvement in muscle strength only in the aerobic training group (p < 0.05). The between group comparisons showed that all included outcome measures were statistically similar for both aerobic training and pilates training groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The present study shows that aerobic training and pilates training are both effective in the improvement of balance performance and gross motor skills in children with autism, with more improvement in muscle strength in aerobic training. Pilates education can be considered as an alternative education as it increases balance performance and motor skills in children with autism.

Keywords

Autism, Pilates training, Aerobic training, Gross motor skills, Social skills

Otizmli Çocuklarda Pilates Eğitiminin Fiziksel Performans ve Sosyal Becerilere Etkisi: Randomize Kontrollü Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Aerobik eğitim, çocukların fiziksel, bilişsel ve davranışsal işlevleri üzerindeki önemli faydaları nedeniyle otizmli çocuklar için önerilmektedir. Buna rağmen, otizmli çocuklarda pilates eğitiminin etkilerine ilişkin herhangi bir kanıt bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, otizmli çocuklarda pilates eğitiminin kas kuvveti, denge performansı, kaba motor beceriler ve sosyal beceriler üzerindeki etkilerinin karşılaştırılması amaçlandı.
Yöntem: Çalışmaya toplam 22 otizmli çocuk dahil edildi. Sonuç ölçütleri olarak maksimal izometrik kas kuvveti, denge performansı, kaba motor beceriler ve sosyal beceriler değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Her iki eğitim grubunda da denge performansı ve kaba motor becerileri skorlarında iyileşme gözlenirken, sosyal beceri skorunda iyileşme gözlenmedi (p < 0,05). Kas gücünde sadece aerobik eğitim grubunda anlamlı bir iyileşme görüldü (p < 0,05). Gruplar arası karşılaştırmalarda, tüm sonuç ölçümlerinin hem aerobik eğitim hem de pilates eğitim grupları için istatistiksel olarak benzer olduğunu gösterdi (p > 0,05).
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, aerobik eğitim ve pilates eğitiminin her ikisinin de otizmli çocuklarda denge performansının ve kaba motor becerilerin geliştirilmesinde etkili olduğunu ve aerobik eğitimde kas gücünde daha fazla iyileşme olduğunu göstermektedir. Pilates eğitimi, otizmli çocuklarda denge performansını ve motor becerileri arttırdığı için alternatif bir eğitim olarak düşünülebilir.

Keywords

Otizm, Pilates, Aerobik Eğitim, Kaba Motor Beceriler, Sosyal Beceriler

Supporting Institution

Yok

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