Effects of sport on the social skills of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v82.118243Keywords:
Adolescent , Autism Spectrum Disorder, child, social behavior, sportsAbstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is associated with difficulties in social interaction that can affect participation in different contexts of daily life.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of sports participation on the social skills of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Methodology: A review of systematic reviews was conducted between May 15 and June 6, 2025, in PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Virtual Health Library, SciELO, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar, without language restrictions. Methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE.
Results: Of 180 records identified, eleven systematic reviews were included. Fourteen sports were evaluated. The included meta-analyses showed that team sports with and without a ball, karate or kata, moderate-to-vigorous comprehensive physical exercise, and soccer were associated with significant improvements in the social skills of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
Discussion: The findings were consistent with the available literature. The included primary studies linked these benefits to neurobiological mechanisms associated with sports practice and with improvements in interaction, communication, and social participation.
Conclusions: Sports may generate significant improvements in the social skills of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, especially team sports, karate or kata, and soccer performed at moderate-to-vigorous intensity.
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