12 Haftal？k Egzersiz Program？n？n Atipik Otizmli ？ocuklar？n Kaba Motor Beceri Düzeylerine Etkisi

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effects of the 12- weeks-exercise program on the level of grossmotor skills of children with Atypical Autism. Material and Method: 14 male children, who were diagnosed with Atypical Autism, were recruitted for the study (Mean Age was 10.07±0.25 years, weight 24.97±0.64kg, length was126.79±1.33cm). They were divided into two groups. 1st group was defined as Autistic Exercise Group (AEG, n= 7), 2nd group was defined as Autistic Control Group (ACG, n=7). In this study, the tests related with running speed and fleetness, balance, bilateral coordination and strength of the parameters of Bruininks-Oseretsky Rough Motor Sufficiency Test (BOT2) were applied. Exercise program was applied to the children in exercise group for 12 weeks’ period, 60 minutes each day and three days a week, conducting a teaching technique based on reduction of the clues gradually. Data were analyzed by Paired Sample Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U test was used. The significance level of p <0.05 was selected. Results: As a result of statistical comparison of the data of pre and final tests of gross motor skills of the exercise group (BOT2); running speed and fleetness (p=0.017), balance I (p=0.023), balance II (p=0.014), long jumping by standing (p=0.016) tests, it was seen that there is a significant difference in favor of the last test statistically. A significant difference was not seen between the data of pre and final tests of Bilateral coordination (p>0.05). Besides, no difference was seen at the statistical comparison of the data of pre and final tests for the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion it can be emphasized that exercises, which are done regularly, can have important contributions on the developments of parameters of rough motor skills of children with Atypical Autistism