Abstract
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to have difficulties in social communication and restricted interests. Many studies also indicate that they are at risk of deficits in executive function, which are fundamental cognitive skills required for improved overall health. Current literature suggests that exercise can play a positive role in positively affecting cognitive function. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of exercise interventions on executive function in children and adolescents with ASD. A total of 310 children and adolescents with ASD ages 6 to 18 years were included in the reviewed studies. The results of this review demonstrated that exercise intervention had a positive, small-to-moderate effect on overall executive function; chronic exercise interventions had a small-to-moderate positive effect on cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. In contrast, this study found a non-significant effect of exercise on working memory among students with ASD.