Atividade física: níveis e barreiras em crianças com autismo de Pelotas.

Abstract

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder and comprehensive, characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and the presence of restricted and stereotyped behaviors. These deficits can be minimized with regular physical activity. In addition, there are several barriers to physical activity in childhood, especially in children with autism. Thus, the objective of this research is to describe the physical activity patterns of children with autism from four to 10 years old residents of Pelotas and investigate the barriers to physical activity in the same group of children. The sample consisted of 73 children with autism, aged between four and 10 years, residents in the city of Pelotas. Individuals were selected institutions serving children with autism city. Parents answered a questionnaire and helped the children to use the accelerometer Actigraph WGT3X + for 7 consecutive days. Regarding the data related to physical activity levels, 19 children (28.8%) were considered active according to data from accelerometry and 23 (31.5%) children by questionnaire data. The variables that had significant differences compared physical activity measured by questionnaire, were the purchasing power (p = 0.02), the marital status of parents (p = 0.008) and the regular AF parent (p = 0.005). When comparing with physical activity at accelerometer found no significant association. Regarding the most cited barriers were lack of social projects for inclusion of children in physical activity programs; lack of accessible locations near the family residence; lack of money to perform physical activities; preference for performing other activities and; not have the company of friends to do some physical activity. It is concluded that there are important differences in the estimates of physical activity measured by questionnaire and accelerometers. And the number of perceived barriers was one variable strongly associated with physical activity in leisure measured by questionnaire, given that less active children perceive more barriers.