Method: Twenty-five adolescents with autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome were recruited. Measures of bilateral leg extension and flexion strength, bilateral standing balance, and body mass index (BMI) percentile were measured at baseline and one-year following the intervention. On the last day of the intervention, participants were classified as either riders or non-riders, based on their ability to independently ride a minimum distance of 100 feet. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the effects of the intervention, the effects of time, and the effects of age on all outcomes.
Analysis/Results: Sixteen of the twenty-five participants learned to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. One year following the intervention, riders demonstrated significantly improved bilateral leg extension and right leg flexion strength. They also demonstrated meaningful improvements in right leg balance and a meaningful decline in BMI percentile. Significant time and age effects were also observed, however, the magnitude of these differences, were small.
Conclusions: With appropriate training, adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome can learn to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Bicycle riding is associated with improved physiological outcomes including greater leg strength and reduced BMI percentile one-year following acquisition of the skill. These results are significant in demonstrating long term strength and body composition outcomes for adolescents with considerable health disparities.