SPARK Exercise Program and Game-based Training in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Comparative Effects of Structured Sport, Play and Active Recreation for Kid Exercise Program and Game-based Training on Motor Proficiency and Social Interaction in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will compare the effects of the SPARK program versus game-based circuit training on motor skills and social interaction in 22 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged 5-12 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the SPARK group (n=11) or game-based training group (n=11) at a child rehabilitation center over 10 months. Each intervention will be delivered for 12 weeks, three times per week for 30 minutes. Motor proficiency will be measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT-2), and social interaction using the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP). After ethical approval from Riphah International University, Lahore, data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Structured Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids Exercise program (SPARK); Other: Game-based Training

Detailed Description

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often faces difficulties to perform motor skills and in social interactions which can affect their daily functioning and quality of life.

Motor difficulties such as poor coordination, balance deficits, delayed gross and fine motor skills mostly coexists with social communication impairments which can create a barrier to participate in physical activities and interaction with friends and family. Previous researches shows that structured physical activities can help to cop up with these difficulties. The aim of this experimental study to compare the effects of (SPARK) which is evidence-based exercise program to enhance the motor skills through skill-based activities while also focusing on social engagement through group play and Game-based training through circuit training such as adding different obstacle stations. This study want to find out which approach helps more to improve the motor skills and social interaction. Both approaches have significant individual benefits but their comparative effects remain unexplored. The aim of this study to fulfil this gap.The methodology for this project will be randomized control trail RCT. The data will be collected from the Child rehabilitation center. The study will be completed in 10 months after the approval of synopsis. 22 autistic children age 5-12 years will be randomly assigned into SPARK program (n-=11) or Game-based training (n=11). All the referred participants will be assessed for the eligibility criteria. Guardians of these participants wo are eligible will be asked to sign the consent form before entering them to the study. Each training will be conducted for 12 weeks with sessions conducted 3 times per week for 30 minutes. Motor Proficiency will be measured by Bruininks-Oseretsky (BOT-2). Social Interaction will be measured by Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP).. This synopsis will be represented to research ethical committee of Riphah International university, Lahore for ethical approval to conduct this study. Data will be collected through SPSS version 23

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 22
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Muhammad Asif Javed, PhD*; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • IHC Hospital
      • Contact: Muhammad Asif Javed, PhD*; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk
      • Contact: IMRAN AHJAD, PHD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASD is diagnosed by Psychologist.
• Age 5-12 years with ASD .
• Participants having IQ greater than 70 by using Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC-4)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visual or auditory impairment or any orthopedic condition.
• Participants currently enrolled in intensive Physiotherapy (to avoid confounding effects).
• Recent traumatic injury and surgery (≤6 months).
• There was previous involvement with the SPARK program among the participants.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A: Structured Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids Exercise program (SPARK); The SPARK intervention includes 36 sessions (3x/week, 40 min/session). Each session has: 10-min warm-up (scramble activity: prone lying → quadruped → quick stand with bent knees → jumping), 20-min main treatment (heavy fitness: aerobic dance, running, jump ropes for endurance & strength; skill fitness: basketball, football, kickball), and 10-min cool-down (deep breathing)	Other: Structured Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids Exercise program (SPARK); The SPARK intervention consists of 36 sessions, delivered 3 times per week for 40 minutes per session. Each session is divided into three parts: a 10-minute warm-up, a 20-minute main treatment, and a 10-minute cool-down. During the warm-up, a scramble interactive activity is performed in four positions: (1) prone lying on a soft surface, (2) quadruped (knees and hands on the floor), (3) quick standing with bent knees, and (4) jumping. The main treatment follows standard SPARK protocols, including heavy fitness activities (e.g., aerobic dance, running games, jump ropes) to develop endurance, abdomen, and upper body strength, followed by skill fitness activities (e.g., basketball, football, kickball) to improve fitness. The session ends with a 10-minute cool-down including deep breathing exercises.; Other Names: SPARK
Experimental: Group B: Game-Based Training.; Game-based training: 32 sessions (2x/week, 33 min/session). Each session has three 11-minute segments: warm-up (walking on toes/heels, jogging, running between cones), agility (running over 4 hurdles plus cones, rings, ladder), and agility with skill (catching football, zig-zag through rings, throwing at target, stacking cups). Three circuits per session in small groups	Other: Game-based Training; The game-based training intervention consists of 32 sessions over 16 weeks, with 2 sessions per week, each lasting 33 minutes. Each session is divided into three 11-minute segments: warm-up, agility exercises, and agility with a skill. The warm-up includes moderate-to-vigorous activities such as walking on toes and heels, jogging, and running fast between two cones placed 10 yards apart. The agility segment involves running over sequentially added hurdles (up to four), cones, rings, and a ladder. The final segment combines agility with fine and gross motor skills, including picking up bean bags, throwing a football, stacking cups, walking over hurdles, catching a football, zig-zag running through rings, and throwing a ball at a target. Participants complete three circuits per session while working in small groups to encourage social interaction

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)	Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often faces difficulties to perform motor skills. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) is the most widely used assessment tool design to evaluate fine and gross motor skills in children and adolescent age 4 to 21.	1 months
Autism social skills profile ASSP	Autism is also characterized by significant impairment in social interactions.Social skills play a vital role in overall child wellbeing and successful integration in society. These skills include effective communication, cooperation and emotional understanding which helps to develop the meaning full relationships.The autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) was developed to measure the specific social skills and can be used for planning the intervention that focus on social skills enhancement deficit in children and adolescent of age 6-17 years old	1 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Maham Bashir, MS PT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 2, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 2, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Motor Skills; SPARK; Game-based training; Social interaction.
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR&AHS/MAHAMBASHIR

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No