Perspectives and experiences of physical activity among autistic adults in middle adulthood.
James McLeod, Martin Roderick, Mary Hanley and 2 others
PMID 40792550WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described avoiding exercise because trainers focused on weight loss and competition rather than their needs.
Sensory environments like gym noise and lighting caused exhaustion and burnout. Trust was hard to build due to past trauma, leading many to prefer solitary activity over group classes.
Key findings
01Participants found that movement professionals often assumed goals like weight loss or competition, which conflicted with the participants' desire for wellness and enjoyment, leading to avoidance.
02Sensory sensitivities to noise, lighting, and smells in community settings caused physical and mental exhaustion, leading some to view avoiding these environments as more beneficial than risking burnout.
03Trust was difficult to establish due to past negative experiences with healthcare and PE, and the constant changes in staff and environments in group settings.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (17 participants) and predominantly comprised late-diagnosed females, limiting generalizability to males and other gender identities. Participants were all able to communicate verbally, excluding the experiences of autistic adults who use alternative communication methods. The study focused on middle adulthood (35+), so findings may not apply to younger adults or older adults in later life. Recruitment was via social media and charities in the UK, which may introduce selection bias toward those already connected to these networks.
Declared interests
Funded by the National Institute of Health Research School for Primary Care Research, United Kingdom. The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret avoidance of group exercise as non-compliance or lack of motivation. The study shows that avoidance is often a protective response to sensory overload, traumatic past experiences, or inappropriate trainer assumptions about goals like weight loss.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →