Exercício físico e crianças com transtornos do espectro do autismo : benefícios significativos para o desenvolvimento e qualidade de vida

Abstract

Scientific evidence shows that physical exercises, regardless of the modality, bring numerous benefits to mental health. As responses to their practice, improvements in learning, memory, plasticity of the nervous system, cerebral vascularization and attenuation of mental decline due to aging occur. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the benefits that physical exercise can bring to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) due to the consequences and symptoms that accompany the disorder. The method used for this study was the literature review. Several studies were found that significantly showed the benefits of physical exercise in combating obesity, in the development of motor, sensory and behavioral domains, in improving sleep quality, in addition to stimulating neuroplasticity. Thus, it was possible to conclude that physical exercise plays a vital role in people's lives in many ways and this is especially important for children with ASD, as it can help them to improve not only their physical condition and combat the effects of physical inactivity, as well as improving many of the many deficits and challenges they face in motor, social and behavioral skills and, thus, establishing a positive and quality lifestyle.