Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise in Reducing Stereotypic Behaviors in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review

Suhail Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Zoubi; Samir Al-Adawi; Marwan M. Al-Sharbati

Suhail Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Zoubi
Samir Al-Adawi Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Marwan M. Al-Sharbati Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Stereotypic Behaviour, Aerobic Exercise, Self-stimulatory Behaviour, Physical Activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurobiological condition that features restricted, repetitive, and stereotypic behaviour, and impairments in social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication. Autism is caused due to genetic and environmental factors. Autism is classified into five major types: Rett’s disorder, Asperger’s disorder, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Stereotypic behaviour is involuntary; sensorial self-regulation activities are present in autistic children. Aerobic exercise (AE) is described as a type of exercise that elevates the heart rate and oxygen consumption of the body. It has been seen to cause improvement in an ASD child's physical development, cognitive development, and body composition.

AIM: This article aims to present a review of the relevant literature on the efficacy of aerobic exercises on stereotypic behaviour in ASD children.

METHODS: This review is based on the PRISMA guidelines. The databases used for searching the articles were PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were taken care of while selecting the articles. The articles between the years 2011 and 2022 were selected.

RESULTS: In this review, ten studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria and all these studies showed the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and a decrease in stereotypic behaviour in ASD children.

CONCLUSION: This literature review analysed the efficacy of AE on stereotypic behaviour in ASD children. This study concluded that physical activity, which included aerobic exercise, reduced the stereotypic behaviour of children affected by ASD.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.7048.202614

How to cite this article:
Adawi S A, Sharbati M M A, Zoubi S M A A. Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise in Reducing Stereotypic Behaviors in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review. Epidem Int. 2026;11(3):15-22.

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