Transfer and Retention Effects of a Motor Program in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Jin Bo Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5267-730X *
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Bo Shen Division of Kinesiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4234-5421
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YanLi Pang School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, HUB, China

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Mingting Zhang School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, HUB, China

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Yuan Xiang School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, HUB, China

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Liangshan Dong School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, HUB, China

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https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8639-1075
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Yu Song School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, HUB, China

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Patricia Lasutschinkow Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

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Alina Dillahunt Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

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Dan Li LinJie Autism Rehabilitation Center, Wuhan, HUB, China

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0200
Keywords:
transfer of learning; generalization; fundamental motor skills
First Published Online:
29 Jun 2023
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–19
Restricted access

The current study examined the acquisition, retention, and transfer effects of a motor program. Children with autism spectrum disorder participated in a 9-week program that targeted 13 fundamental motor skills based upon the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Assessments were conducted before and after the program, as well as at 2-month follow-up. Significant improvements were found on not only the trained fundamental motor skills (acquisition) but also the untrained tasks on balance (transfer). The follow-up tests revealed continuous improvement on the trained locomotor skills (retention), as well as the untrained skills on balance (retention + transfer). These findings highlight the importance of continuous support and long-term participation on motor practices.

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