Evaluation Of Skipping In College Students With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interactions and behaviors. Children with ASD demonstrate motor skill deficits in comparison to their neurotypically developing peers. However, it is unknown whether these motor skill deficits translate into adulthood. PURPOSE: Skipping performance and kinematics were evaluated in college students with and without ASD. METHODS: 20 college students, 10 with ASD and 10 without, participated in this study. Following a demonstration, each participant completed three skipping trials. Data was collected using a three-dimensional 12-camera motion capture system at 120 Hz using retro-reflective markers that were placed on the participants’ upper and lower extremities. Developmental scoring of skipping performance was performed using a combination of Everyone Can! and the Halverson Developmental Sequences for Skipping. Data were processed using Cortex, Visual 3D, Matlab, and SPSS software. Center of mass excursion, the peak velocity of joint extension, and peak joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle of the dominant leg were extracted. Independent t-tests were used to compare normally distributed kinematic variables and Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine the center of mass excursion and developmental scores between groups with an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Individuals with ASD performed less proficiently in skipping than individuals without ASD as assessed by the developmental scoring (Everyone Can! composite score median (interquartile range): ASD: 10.5(8), Control: 15.0(0), p = 0.008). However, there were no statistically significant differences for the peak joint angles, velocities, or vertical center of mass excursion. The ASD group demonstrated greater medio-lateral center of mass displacement (ASD 0.08(0.1) m; Control 0.03(0.03) m; p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Participants with ASD were less proficient in their skip performance in comparison to participants without ASD. Given that skipping is a motor skill used in many common sports and leisure activities, interventions addressing the ability to skip proficiently may promote participation in these activities and help individuals with ASD lead more physically active lives.