Efficiency of jumping movement in long rope skipping in children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) display inefficient movements when performing tasks that require simple upper-limb actions. However, few studies have investigated tasks that require gross motor skills. Accordingly, this research sought to examine the movement efficiency of ASD children performing tasks involving gross motor skills. Specifically, the paper looked at differences between repeated jumping movements in long lope skipping of ASD children (n = 8, 9.38 ± 1.18 years) and children with typical development patterns (TD: n = 8, 9.50 ± 1.51 years). Jumping movements in long rope skipping were evaluated in terms of the hip joint flexion motion angle and the knee flexion motion angle. The results indicated that the TD group showed a great deal of variation in repeated jumping movements; that is, they increased their movement efficiency in long rope skipping. In contrast, the ASD group showed little variation as they repeated inefficient jumping movements again and again. The characteristics of the ASD individuals were likely attributable to a tendency to program single motor acts independently from other movements and to a cognitive style that often shows superior local processing. These findings are thought to play an important role in dealing effectively with ASD children.