Exploring impacts of a codesigned program mapping physical activities to personalised goals for children with autism

This intervention comprises a codesigned, progressive physical activity program (PAP) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The PAP will be codesigned by the participant, their parent or carer, and the researchers. The specific activities offered will aim to address the physical and mental health goals identified by the participant and their parent. The PAP will comprise individual and group activity options, including: aerobic activities; resistance exercise; balance-coordination activities; ball sports; and concurrent at-home activities. PAP delivery will be multi-modal, including supervised face-to-face sessions and home-based activities. Supervised physical activity sessions will take place at the MindBody Lab, Murdoch University in the Perth (Australia) metropolitan area. Materials for the PAP including sport equipment (e.g., cones, line markers, resistance bands, balls) and a speaker for music. Sessions will comprise a minimum two, ~45 min sessions per week for eight weeks. Sessions will include multimodal exercises combining resistance exercises (e.g., some weight equipment), reaction type exercises (e.g., responding to some stimuli), fundamental movements (e.g., skipping, hopping jumping, balancing, catching and throwing), endurance exercises (e.g., rowing ergometer, cycling ergometer, treadmill or outdoor running) and coordinated sports activities (e.g., basketball, soccer etc.). Composition of exercises will be individualised for each person using their age, functional capacity, preferred exercises and activities, as well as preferred outcomes. Participating children will be required to wear an actigraphy device (Axivity, 100 Hz) on their wrist, allowing researchers to monitor adherence to the home-based PA components. Supervised session attendance will also be recorded by the researchers. The PAP will be delivered by qualified exercise physiologists with experience conducting PA sessions with children and current First Aid qualifications. Physical assessments will be conducted by qualified exercise physiologists. Psychological and mental health assessments will be conducted by qualified psychology researchers. All researchers with direct contact with children will have current working with children checks – Western Australia (WWCC-WA) and Western Australian police clearance. Researchers will contact the participant families regularly via participant-preferred modes for session scheduling, adherence checks, and to answer general queries.