Barriers to Physical Activity in Older Adults with Autism
Author Information
Author(s): Kartoz Connie, Jefferson Rebeca, Eisenberg Chase, Antonakakis Antigone
Primary Institution: The College of New Jersey
Hypothesis
What are the barriers to physical activity for older adults with autism?
Conclusion
Older adults with autism do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity and face significant barriers, but interventions can improve their activity levels and quality of life.
Supporting Evidence
- The literature on older adults with autism is sparse.
- Adults with autism have a reduced lifespan and comorbidities.
- Young adults with autism engage in less physical activity than their neurotypical peers.
- Only 2 studies specifically focused on adults over 50 with autism.
Takeaway
Older adults with autism have a hard time being active, but with the right help, they can get better at it and feel happier.
Methodology
A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, searching 5 databases for studies on physical activity in older adults with autism.
Limitations
The review found very few studies specifically focused on older adults with autism, leading to a low level of evidence.
Participant Demographics
The studies included participants over 50, but the number was less than 100 in each study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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