Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: Adaptation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with ASD
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Summary of the Effectiveness of Physical Activity on Children with ASD
1.2. Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: A Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children
1.3. Objective and Hypotheses
2. Methods
2.1. Study Design
- Pre-test evaluation (T0). This comprises four standardized tests to assess children’s working memory (two measures) and inhibitory control (two measures).
- Children will be randomly assigned to two groups through simple randomization. The experimental group will participate in the EMP activities twice a week for six weeks, while the other group will not engage in any activities or interventions.
- Post-test evaluation (T1). This comprises the same four standardized tests used in the pre-test evaluation phase and allows the assessment of children’s EFs after six weeks.
2.2. Sample
Inclusion Criteria
2.3. Description of Intervention
2.3.1. Theoretical Framework of EMP
2.3.2. EMP Activities Description
2.4. Measures
2.4.1. Mr. Cucumber Test [40]
2.4.2. Backward Word Span [41]
2.4.3. Circle Drawing Task [39]
2.4.4. Day and Night Stroop Task [39]
2.5. Statistical Analysis
3. Expected Results
4. Discussions
5. Limitations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
PA | physical activity |
EF | executive function |
ASD | autism spectrum disorder |
EMP | enriched motor program (original title: PMA. Programma Motorio Arricchito) |
CG | control group |
Appendix A
Appendix A.1. Unit 1
Appendix A.1.1. Variation
Appendix A.2. Unit 2
Appendix A.2.1. Variation
Appendix A.3. Unit 3
Appendix A.3.1. Variation 1
Appendix A.3.2. Variation 2
Appendix A.4. Unit 4
Appendix A.4.1. Variation
Appendix A.5. Unit 5
Appendix A.5.1. Variation
Appendix A.6. Unit 6
Appendix A.6.1. Variation
Appendix A.7. Unit 7
Appendix A.7.1. Variation
Appendix A.8. Unit 8
Appendix A.8.1. Variation 1
Appendix A.8.2. Variation 2
Appendix A.9. Unit 9
Appendix A.9.1. Variation
Appendix A.10. Unit 10
Appendix A.10.1. Variation
Appendix A.11. Unit 11
Appendix A.11.1. Variation
Appendix A.12. Unit 12
Appendix A.12.1. Variation
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Gullo, G.; Gentile, A.; Alesi, M. Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: Adaptation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with ASD. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060902
Gullo G, Gentile A, Alesi M. Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: Adaptation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with ASD. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(6):902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060902
Chicago/Turabian StyleGullo, Gabriele, Ambra Gentile, and Marianna Alesi. 2025. "Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: Adaptation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with ASD" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 6: 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060902
APA StyleGullo, G., Gentile, A., & Alesi, M. (2025). Enriched Motor Program [EMP]: Adaptation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with ASD. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(6), 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060902