Effects of a 12-week structured circuit exercise program on physical fitness levels of children with autism spectrum condition and typically developing children.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of a circuit exercise program on the physical fitness parameters of children with atypical autism spectrum condition (ASC) and typically developing (TD) children. Method: Fourteen (14) boys with atypical autism (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.25 years; weight: 24.97 ± 0.64 kg; height: 126.79 ± 1.33 cm) and 14 typically developing boys (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.30 years; weight: 26.97 ± 0.55 kg; height: 126.50 ± 0.62 cm) participated in the study. The children were divided into four groups using a random coin toss: Autism Exercise Group (AEG), Autism Control Group (ACG), Typically Developing Exercise Group (TDEG), and Typically Developing Control Group (TDCG). Testing parameters from the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of gross motor proficiency (BOT-2) included running speed and agility, balance, bilateral coordination, and the standing long jump. Handgrip strength (both sides), reaction times (visual and auditory), and flexibility tests were also performed. The exercise program consisted of three 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks, using the most-to-least prompting method. Findings: Significant improvements were observed for AEG in running speed and agility, balance, standing long jump, reaction times, handgrip strength, and flexibility (p < 0.05). For TDEG, only the standing long jump scores failed to significantly improve (p < .05). Comparing AEG and TDEG pre- and post-test results, the former showed 30% greater development with respect to balance, standing long jump, auditory reaction time, and handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the significant improvements in physical fitness parameters of AEG, we recommend that children with ASC start sports training immediately when diagnosed with autism and participate in structured physical activities with their peers.

Comparison of blood carbonic anhydrase activity of athletes performing interval and continuous running exercise at high altitude.

The effects of high-intensity interval and continuous exercise on erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) activity levels were scarcely investigated up until now. Here we present a study focused on the CA activity from erythrocytes of athletes experiencing interval and continuous training for 6 weeks, during cold weather and at high altitude (> 1600 m). We observed a 50% increase in the blood CA activity at the second week after initiation of the training in both interval and continuos running groups, whereas the control group did not experience any variation in the enzyme activity levels. In the trained individuals a mild decrease in their body mass, BMI and an increased [Formula: see text] were also observed. The CA activity returned at the basal values after 4-6 weeks after the training started, probably proving that a metabolic compensation occurred without the need of an enhanced enzyme activity. The unexpected 50% rise of activity for an enzyme which acts as a very efficient catalyst for CO2 hydration/bicarbonate dehydration, such as the blood CA, deserves further investigations for better understanding the physiologic basis of this phenomenon.