MedTrace Logo

Adapted Aquatic Exercise and Behavioral Outcomes, Flexibility, and Handgrip Strength in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT07410897 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 35

Last updated 2026-03-19

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized clinical trial studied whether an adapted aquatic exercise program could improve behavior and physical abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thirty-five boys aged 6 to 12 years with mild ASD participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an aquatic exercise group or a control group.

The aquatic exercise group took part in a structured, individualized swimming and water-based exercise program twice per week for 16 weeks, while the control group continued their regular academic education without additional exercise. The program focused on water safety, breathing control, and basic swimming movements.

Outcomes were measured before and after the 16-week period. Autism-related behaviors were evaluated using the Autism Behavior Checklist. Physical abilities were assessed using flexibility (sit-and-reach test) and handgrip strength measurements.

The study aimed to determine whether regular participation in adapted aquatic exercise could reduce autism-related behaviors and improve motor skills that are important for daily life activities in children with ASD.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Adapted Aquatic Exercise Program

A structured adapted aquatic exercise program conducted over 16 weeks, with two 50-minute sessions per week. Sessions were delivered individually by certified adapted swimming instructors and included water familiarization, pool safety, breathing exercises, upper- and lower-limb propulsion, and progressive freestyle swimming skills.

OTHER

Academic Instruction

Standard academic education provided by the school without participation in structured physical activity or aquatic exercise programs during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Aksaray University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
6 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-12-01
Primary Completion
2026-02-05
Completion
2026-02-06

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07410897 on ClinicalTrials.gov