European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 18, 5 (2025) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2024.016

Participation and physical activity in a parkour recess program for children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Kian Vanluyten1, Peter Iserbyt1
1 Department of Movement Sciences KU Leuven, Belgium

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more at risk for lower levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to peers without ASD. This study examined voluntary participation in parkour recess, which was tied to physical education, and MVPA in both settings between children with and without ASD in general education. Second-grade elementary school children (N = 87, mean age = 7 years, 36 girls, 51 boys), of which five children with ASD (2 girls, 3 boys), followed a 10-lesson unit parkour during physical education and could voluntary participate in 10 parkour recess sessions. Four out of five children with ASD participated regularly in parkour recess (80-100%). On average children with ASD had lower MVPA levels than their peers during physical education, while they achieved over 50% of MVPA during parkour recess. Connecting physical education content with organised recess sessions is a promising public health strategy for children with ASD.

Keywords: Physical education, parkour recess, school-based health, inclusion

Received: March 1, 2024; Revised: October 9, 2024; Accepted: December 6, 2024; Published online: September 1, 2026  Show citation

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Vanluyten, K., & Iserbyt, P. (2025). Participation and physical activity in a parkour recess program for children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2024.016
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