Mini-Basketball Training Program Improves Executive Function And Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor In School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective:The study intends to explore the 12 weeks of mini basketball training program(12-week MBTP)on executive function(EF)and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor(BDNF)in school-age children.Moreover,it will help the researchers and experts in providing evidences for the relationships between MBTP,BDNF and EF while revisiting the possible molecular biological mechanism of 12-week MBTP to improve EF in children with ASD.Methods:In this study,school-age children with ASD were selected as research subjects.Chuying Child Development Center and Xinghang Potential Development Center were selected as experimental group and control group.Eventually,38 children with ASD were finally included in this study,including 20 children in the experimental group and 18 children in the control group.The experimental group received 12-week MBTP,while the control group received routine rehabilitation.The changes of BDNF and performance in EF before and after 12-week MBTP were evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA)and measurement tool of EF called CHEXI.Results:(1)12-week MBTP significantly improved the performance of working memory[F(1,36)=16.299,P<0.001,partial η2=0.312]and regulation capacity[F(1,36)=22.695,P=0.034<0.05,partial η2=0.119].(2)12-week MBTP significantly increased the level of BDNF[F(1,36)=5.328,P=0.027<0.05,partial η2=0.129].(3)After 12-week MBTP,BDNF changes were positively correlated with working memory changes(r=0.551,P=0.012<0.05)and regulation capacity changes(r=0.462,P=0.040<0.05).Conclusion:(1)12-week MBTP could improve working memory and regulation capacity in school-age children with ASD.(2)12-week MBTP significantly increased the level of BDNF.(3)The molecular biological mechanism of MBTP to improve EF of school-age children with ASD may involve the change of BDNF level.