An interventional study of Exergame Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder, sponsored by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to male participants aged 10 Years to 19 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-14.
Sponsored by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study looks at whether a type of exercise video game, called an exergame, can help adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who play table tennis react faster and move more quickly (agility) during play. Twenty-four adolescent male table tennis players with mild ASD are taking part. Half of them add 20 minutes of exergame training, using a light-based reaction device, to their usual table tennis practice twice a week for 8 weeks. The other half continue their usual table tennis practice only, without the exergame. Reaction time is measured using a light-based reaction device, and agility is measured using a standard running drill (the T-test), before and after the 8-week period. This study aims to find out whether exergame training added to regular practice can help young table tennis players with ASD react and move faster during matches.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a high prevalence of motor impairments, including deficits in reaction time and agility, both of which are key determinants of performance in table tennis. Despite the growing participation of individuals with ASD in competitive table tennis, no prior study has examined whether exergame-based training can improve these two performance components in this population.
This study uses a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group (allocation is by training centre rather than individual randomization, as sufficient eligible participants were not available at a single centre). Participants in the exercise group replace 20 minutes of their routine training with exergame training using a commercially available light-reaction device (BlazePod), delivered one-to-one under their usual club coach's supervision, twice weekly for 8 weeks across four progressively increasing difficulty levels (16 sessions total, 320 minutes of exergame training). The control group continues routine table tennis training only, matched for total session duration. Training protocols were developed by a multidisciplinary team including table tennis coaches experienced with athletes with disabilities and a special education expert, and all coaches received a standardised briefing and training manual before the intervention began.
Outcomes are assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Reaction time is assessed with the same light-reaction device used in training, and agility is assessed with a standard T-test protocol using photoelectric timing.
Reporting follows CONSORT 2010 guidance as closely as applicable to a non-randomized design, supplemented by the TREND statement for non-randomized designs.
Exclusion Criteria:
Arm Description: Participants continued their routine table tennis training only (50 minutes per session), twice weekly for 8 weeks, with no exergame component added.
Participants continued their routine table tennis training (30 minutes per session) and additionally undertook 20 minutes of exergame training using a light-reaction device (BlazePod), delivered one-to-one under supervision of their club coach, twice weekly for 8 weeks across 4 progressively increasing difficulty levels (16 sessions total; 320 minutes of exergame training).
Behavioral: Exergame Training
Sensor-based exergame training using the BlazePod system (BlazePod Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel), a light-reaction device with pods that illuminate according to programmable parameters (colour, duration, randomisation). Participants extinguished lit pods as quickly as possible using their hand (weeks 1 of each difficulty level) or a table tennis bat (week 2 of each difficulty level). Pod spacing and set duration (20-50 seconds) increased progressively across 4 difficulty levels over 8 weeks. Sessions were delivered one-to-one, supervised by the participant's own club coach following a standardised training manual and briefing.
Reaction Time
Outcome Measure Description: Average reaction time measured using the BlazePod light-reaction system. Pods were secured to the table in a triangular pattern at 20 cm intervals. Using the device's "random mode," "single colour (blue)," and "15 seconds" settings, participants extinguished illuminated pods as quickly as possible with their dominant hand; average reaction time was recorded as the performance metric.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week training programme (post-intervention)
Agility
Outcome Measure Description: Agility measured using the T-test protocol. A cone was placed 9.14 m from the starting point, with two additional cones placed 4.57 m to the right and left of it. Participants ran straight to the second cone, side-shuffled to the third, fourth, and back to the second cone, then ran backward to the start. Time to complete the course was recorded using a photoelectric electronic stopwatch (accuracy 0.01 s).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week training programme (post-intervention)
Height
Height (cm) will be recorded as a descriptive anthropometric variable for the study sample, assessed to characterise participants and to check for between-group differences unrelated to the training intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Body Weight
Body weight (kg) will be recorded as a descriptive anthropometric variable for the study sample, assessed to characterise participants and to check for between-group differences unrelated to the training intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 8)
Plan to share: Undecided
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Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University