Correlation between sleep problems and physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder

This cross-sectional study of 312 children with ASD (aged 2.5-12 years) found that over 40% of school-aged children engage in less than one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, and that daily exercise duration is positively associated with better bedtime habits while moderate-intensity exercise correlates with reduced daytime sleepiness. The findings demonstrate a significant relationship between physical activity levels and sleep quality in children with autism, suggesting that increased PA may help address the prevalent sleep disturbances common in this population.