Fundamental Movement Skills–CrossFit program to improve school readiness in preschool children with autism

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 184 children with autism aged 3–6 years and randomly assign them to a 12-week Fundamental Movement Skills–CrossFit Training Program (FCTP) or a treatment-as-usual control group. The FCTP combines progressive fundamental movement skill training with CrossFit-style circuit sessions designed to promote motor competence, social interaction, and self-regulation. Primary outcomes focus on school readiness measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), with secondary outcomes including motor development, executive function, social responsiveness, and biomarker analyses. Assessments occur at baseline, mid-intervention (8 weeks), end of intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (20 weeks).

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age 3-6 years;
2. confirmed ASD diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria or the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2);
3. written informed consent from parent/caregiver.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. participation in structured exercise programs within the preceding 6 months;
2. comorbid severe neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, phenylketonuria, fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis) or major psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder);
3. visual, auditory or intellectual impairments that would interfere with participation;
4. history of significant head trauma or brain injury;
5. medical contraindications to physical activity ;
6. other factors deemed unsuitable for program participation by the research team.

Where it's running

• Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital
  Fuzhou, Fujian, China Recruiting
• Pku Care Brain Health
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Yuelong Ji, PHD — Peking University
• Study coordinator: Yuelong Ji, PHD
• Email: yuelong.ji@pku.edu.cn
• Phone: (+86)13161989008

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.