Author(s): HOU, X., CAO, M., FENG, Y., Institution: GUANGZHOU SPORT UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 138

INTRODUCTION:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social functioning and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Regular physical activity (PA) improves well-being of autistic children, but evidence for middle-aged and older autistic adults remains scarce. This study aimed to explore the association between the frequency of different PA types and sleep outcomes in autistic adults aged 40 to 70 years.
METHODS:
We analyzed baseline data from 408 autistic individuals diagnosed by professional institutions, sourced from the UK Biobank database. Participants were categorized based on their self-reported frequency of moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and walking. "Regular" activity was defined as engaging in the respective activity three or more times per week for at least 10 minutes per session, as defined within the UK Biobank. Accordingly, participants were grouped as follows: regular MPA (n=231) vs. irregular MPA (≤2 times/week, n=167); regular VPA (n=134) vs. irregular VPA (n=274); regular walking (n=337) vs. irregular walking (n=71). Sleep quality was accessed by UKB’s questionnaire on sleep at baseline, which were (1) UKB sleep duration, (2) Chronotype, (3) Sleeplessness/insomnia, (4) Snoring, and (5) Daytime dozing / sleeping. We used healthy sleep score calculations of Fan and colleagues [1] that is based on five sleep questions specified above. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations between irregular PA and each sleep item as well as healthy sleep score (low, middle, and high) adjusting for age, sex, education, and family income.
RESULTS:
Compared to the regular VPA group, the irregular VPA group had significantly higher rates of insomnia report (87.8% vs. 72.5%, p=0.038). The irregular walking group reported lower rates of adequate sleep duration (7-8 hours, 45.5% vs. 64.4%, p=0.001), early chronotype (27.3% vs. 49.0%, p=0.001), higher rates of daytime sleepiness (37.9% vs. 23.7%, p=0.017), and lower rates of good sleep quality (8,6% vs. 26.4%, p=0.005). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, irregular VPA remained significantly associated with higher rates of insomnia (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.03-2.91), irregular walking was associated with higher rates of inadequate sleep duration (OR=2.50, 95%CI: 1.43-4.36), night chronotype (OR=2.56, 95%CI: 1.39-3.52), daytime sleepiness (OR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.10-3.49), and higher rates of poor sleep quality (OR=4.04, 95%CI: 1.50-10.90).
CONCLUSION:
Among autistic adults aged 40-70 years, irregular participation in PA, particularly vigorous exercise and walking, is associated with poorer sleep quality, including sleep duration, insomnia, night chronotype and daytime sleepiness. The findings emphasized the sleep benefits associated with consistent mild PA such as walking in this population. Promoting regular PA could be a valuable strategy in public health initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of autistic adults.
[1] Fan, M., et al.,Eur Heart J, 2020