Comparison of the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina on the physical indicators of children aged 5 to 7 years with autism spectrum

Abstract

Introduction: recently, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, which is a neurodevelopmental condition, has increased. Autism is the third most common developmental disorder after mental retardation and cerebral palsy. This study compared aimed the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina on the physical characteristics of children aged 5 to 7 years with an autism spectrum. Methods: this study is pre-test and post-test and is of quasi-experimental type. A total of 30 patients approved by a physician with autism spectrum in the age group of 5 to 7 years, including 15 boys and 15 girls, randomly participated in this study with a parental consent form. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 10, each group including 5 boys and 5 girls. The first group, the control group Mean and standard deviation of age (6.87 ± 0.87) years, height (111.13 ± 1.08) cm, weight (27.3 ± 3.2) kg and fat percentage (27.3 ± 1.4) kg, the second group that 8 weeks They only took supplements Mean and standard deviation of age (6.2 ± 0.78) years, height (116.9 ± 2.52) cm, weight (28.4 3 3.02 kg) and fat percentage (27.4 ± 0.42) kg and the third group Mean and deviation Criterion of age (6 ± 0.81) years, height (116 ± 0.87) cm, weight (27.20 ± 4.1) kg and fat percentage (26.1 ± 0.05 kg), who performed resistance training for 8 weeks. For statistical analysis of the SPSS-16 software, a study of basic motor skills and autism components was performed from Ulrich’s third test, KolmogorovSmirnov test to check the normality of the data and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively. An association between exercise and supplementation and increased muscle strength was used. Paired t-test was used to confirm or reject the hypotheses and independent t-test was used to compare groups and the validity of the Ulrich test was used. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to confirm the reliability of the Ulrich test. Results: The results showed that a significant difference was observed in the mentioned variables between the three groups (P <0.05). So that the increase in strength in the exercise group was more effective than the supplemented group and the control group. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina algae on the physical indicators of children 5 to 7 years with autism spectrum and therefore, as an effective program can be on the agenda of sports coaches and occupational therapists. Be mentally placed.