Influência de um Programa de Treino Funcional no perfil de funcionalidade de indivíduos com Perturbação do Espectro do Autismo

Abstract

The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by long-lasting deficits in communication and social interaction in multiples contexts, as by the presence of stereotype behaviours and of a restrict repertoire of interests and activities. In such situations, there are complications and changes in their motor skills, walking, balance and coordination. In this context, practicing physical activity has countless benefits for the population suffering from ASD, even though there are other ways of doing so. This paper was based on functional training (FT) and its aim was to evaluate the effects of such training in people with ASD. The sample was composed of 17 male individuals, with ages between 20 and 30 years old (average= 24,57 years; standard deviation: 3,77 years) and ASD diagnosis. These individuals were separated into two groups and submitted to an intervention program consisted of a battery tests of FT for 6 months. Assessments occurred throughout the entire intervention program once a week. Our conclusions: i) there were variations in the participants' performance during the intervention. However, we determined an improvement in their levels of overall functionality and clear positive repercussions in their everyday life; ii) in the overall intervention program, all the results of battery tests improved in the sample; iii) when comparing the two groups, the 1st one, who had no experience in physical activity, had a better average in most exercises. However only in the tests which consist to put away and join the lower members, and in the kettlebell lifting the differences between groups are statistically significants; iv) the participants' enhance their physical and motor levels, but also their psychological and social levels did as well.