Barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation in adolescents with autism

Adolescents with autism are less physically active compared to neurotypical peers. Little is known concerning the meanings and processes that influence their physical activity (PA) participation. Therefore, we aimed to explore the barriers/facilitators of PA participation adolescents with autism experience. Guided by the principles of the socio-ecological model, semi-structured interviews with 17 adolescents with autism (n = 11 males, 14.4 ± 1.6 years) were conducted. In every PA context (i.e. unorganized PA, sports club, and physical education classes), a variety of intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy barriers/facilitators of PA participation were found. These barriers/facilitators can be context-specific and related to autism spectrum disorder symptomatology.