Original Article The motivational process for physical activity in young adults with autism spectrum disorder

Many young people, especially young people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), do not meet National Physical Activity (PA) guidelines. One way to solve this problem is to investigate the factors that motivate individuals to participate in PA. However, most of the current literature does not take into account the unique features of ASD patients that may influence their motivation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-deterministic predictor of PA in young people with ASD related to age.

Respondents included 143 young adults with autism who completed an investigation of the motivational process in physical activity based on self-deterministic theoretical variables.

The fitness index reported by the route analysis shows that the current data is closely related to the self-determination theory (χ 2 (3, N = 143) = 11.99, p> 0.01, GFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.15). Three basic psychological needs account for 39% of the respondents' self-determined motives, and the self-determined motives explain 8% of PA level fluctuations.

These findings support the use of self-determining theory in ASD young adult health promotion work. Practitioners should focus on improving the basic psychological needs of young people in the physical activity environment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed as having children and adults interfering with social interaction and obstacles to social communication, as well as social imagination disorders, patterns of activities and interests. The term "autism spectrum disorder" is a broad term referring to a subgroup called generalized developmental disorder (PDD). These subgroups include pediatric autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other autistic spectrum disorders. All of these are defined by the World Health Organization's international psychological disorders and behaviors classification. According to research evidence, one in 100 people in the UK has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (Source: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Major Medical Settings WAG December 2010)

Many young people, especially young people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), do not meet National Physical Activity (PA) guidelines. One way to solve this problem is to investigate the factors that motivate individuals to participate in PA. However, most of the current literature does not take into account the unique features of ASD patients that may influence their motivation. The fitness index reported by the route analysis shows that the current data is closely related to the self-determination theory (χ 2 (3, N = 143) = 11.99, p> 0.01, GFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.15). Three basic psychological needs account for 39% of the respondents' self-determined motives, and the self-determined motives explain 8% of PA level fluctuations.

Motivation process of physical activity of young people with autism spectrum disorder

Autistic spectrum is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism Spectrum State (ASC) and is a family of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and related disorders. Individuals in the spectrum exhibit two types of symptoms: problems in social communication and social interactions, and limited repetitive behavior patterns, interests, or activities. Symptoms are usually identified between 1 and 2 years of age. Long-term problems may include difficulties in building and maintaining human relations, maintaining work, and performing daily tasks.