Abstract
PURPOSE: Adults with autism are less likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity (PA) compared to their neurotypical peers, which may result in an increased risk for chronic health conditions and reduced quality of life (QoL). Furthermore, few studies have incorporated objective assessments of PA, and health-related outcomes in this under-studied population. Therefore, this study aimed at examining PA with a wearable device, health-related fitness performance, and QoL and their inter-relationship among adults with autism.
METHODS: Data was drawn from a study sample of 26 autistic adults, (21 males;5 females). Fitbit-Flex activity trackers were utilized for 1-week to determine average steps/day. Health-related fitness assessments included the 1-mile run/walk time (1MRW) for cardiorespiratory endurance and anthropometrics (weight, height, and waist circumference). Waist to Height Ratio (WtHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated to classify central adiposity and healthy/overweight/obesity BMI. QoL was measured using the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ). The BBQ is a 12-item self-report survey that measures QoL within 6 life areas (Leisure time, View on life, Creativity, Learning, Friends and Friendship, and View of self), with a maximum score of 92. Descriptive statistics was conducted to determine demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity) and Pearson correlations to examine relationships between steps/day, health-related fitness (WtHR, BMI, 1MRW) and BBQ score.
RESULTS: Participants were between 20-29 years of age, 81% male, 46% Hispanic, 35% obese, and 77% presented with a high-risk WtHR (>.50). Mean steps/day was 6,375, 1MRW time was 14.5 minutes, and BBQ score was 68.6. The BBQ score was significantly associated with weekly steps/day (r = 0.41, p = 0.036) and 1MRW (r = -0.43, p = 0.028). The 1MRW was also more strongly associated WtHR than BMI (r = 0.65, p = 0.001 vs r = 0.51, p = 0.008).
CONCLUSION: Most autistic adults in this sample were physically inactive based on average steps/day and had high-risk central adiposity. These findings also provided preliminary positive associations between steps/day, cardiorespiratory fitness, and QoL, thus supporting the critical need to further research the role of PA on QoL among this understudied population.