The Effect of CrossFit Kids on Social Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (CrossFit KAMP)

University of California (UC) Davis

Status: Completed

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: CrossFit Kids exercise program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03693313

1235533

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 59 U.S. children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Peer relationships, social skills, and repetitive behaviors are a challenge for those with ASD. Exercise in the ASD population has been examined as a means to improve some of these challenges for children with ASD. This research study will try to see if a structured exercise program called CrossFit Kids can help with these challenges. This study is potentially beneficial in developing an exercise program for children with ASD that can help promote social skill development, reduce stereotypical behaviors, and provide overall health benefits.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 11 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Full Scale IQ >80 on standardized testing
• English speaking
• Parents must be able to bring children to class twice a week for 14 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English speaking
• Medical condition or physical impairment precluding them from safely participating in classes (eg. spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, critical congenital heart disease, uncontrolled asthma, uncontrolled seizure disorder, etc.)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

CrossFit KAMP Group 1

Experimental group

Description:

14 weeks of CrossFit Kids exercise program

Treatment:

Behavioral: CrossFit Kids exercise program

CrossFit KAMP Wait-list Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Waitlist group that waits 14 weeks while group 1 does exercise program. After first 14 weeks will then participate in 14 weeks of CrossFit Kids exercise program

Treatment:

Behavioral: CrossFit Kids exercise program