Exercise in nature is good for men with autism

A recent UEL study found men with autism reacted well to exercise in natural surroundings.

Men with autism can respond well to exercise in nature, according to a new study by James Beale, a senior lecturer in sports psychology at the University of East London.

He invited four men with the condition that regularly partake in nature based exercise, all aged 21, to discuss their experiences of exercise in nature and analysed their responses.

According to the NHS, people with autism spectrum disorder can find it difficult to interact with other people, get upset by unfamiliar situations and take longer to process information.

The participants said they enjoyed exercising in nature. One of the participants said he felt enlightened.

The paper noted that natural stimuli such scenery could lead to greater feelings of enjoyment and comfort for people with autism. The paper’s authors also included former MSc Sport Psychology student Connor S. Bishop, Dr Stewart Bruce-Low, head of the sports department, and was published in the Physical Activity and Health journal.

The study found:

• People with autism appear to get positive psychological outcomes from participating in exercise in nature.
• Participants liked the exercise to have a practical purpose, such as training or travelling somewhere.
• Involvement in nature based exercise within this group was heavily influenced by the positivity of the initial introduction to this form of exercise.

James said,

The study recognised purpose and practicalities being important to this group. With autism being characterised by difficulties in doing things for their own sake, a purpose to the exercise and a practical outcome was a feature of how this group positively experienced green exercise. From an applied sense it could act as a good hook to encourage uptake and adherence within this group to attain both the physical and psychological benefits of green exercise."

While the study of the psychological effect of exercise has become popular, this is the first study of the impact of exercise in nature on people with autism.

Read the paper: The Autistic Experience of Exercising within Nature-Based Environments: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis - Physical Activity and Health (paahjournal.com)

1. Marco, E. J., Hinkley, L. B., Hill, S. S., & Nagarajan, S. S. (2011). 'Sensory processing in autism: a review of neurophysiologic findings'