Gross Motor Function and Health Quality of Life Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participating in a Gymnastics Program: A Pilot Study

The current study assessed impact of a gymnastics program on gross motor function and health quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eleven children participating in gymnastics were compared to ten children in a comparison group. Measurement tools were the Test of Gross Motor Development-second edition (TGMD-2) and Pediatric Quality of Life- fourth edition (PedsQL-4.0). Results showed no between group differences for overall gross motor function and health quality of life. Statistically significant differences were found for two individual skills on the TGMD-2: run (p=.026) and gallop (p=.041). Potential confounding factors were observed (i.e. rater bias, dose response, and “toe-walking”).