The Effect of Functional Exercise Along With Online Nutritional Educationon Inflammatory Biomarkers in Children With Autism Spectrum DisorderDuring Covid-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder which ismostly caused by deficits in social interactions. Lack of physical activity and poor nutritional habits arecommon problems in these patients which may be exaggerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The studyaims to assess the effect of functional training along with online nutrition education on inflammatorybiomarkers in children with ASD.

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 80 children with ASD (age=9.73±1.29years, weight=49.94±2.08 kg, height=146.08±40 cm, body mass index=24.71 ±1.48 kg/m2) were randomlydivided into four groups of training, education, training+ education, and control. The interventionslasted for 8 weeks. The inflammatory biomarkers including white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactiveprotein (CRP) level, neutrophil count, eosinophil count, and basophil count were assessed (usingblood samples collected from antecubital vein) before and after the interventions.

There was no significant difference between the groups before the interventions (P˃0.05). Afterthe intervention, the results showed a significant decrease in WBC (P˂0.001), CRP (P=0.001), neutrophils(sig.=0.009), and eosinophil (P=0.003) in all groups. Basophil count decreased in all groups (P=0.01) exceptin the education group.

Functional training and online nutrition education are beneficial interventions for managementof inflammatory biomarkers in children with ASD which can be used during the Covid-19 pandemic.