Modified and Context-Focused Sports Intervention in Adolescents With Autism: Study Protocol

Modified sports interventions promote physical activity participation in individuals with ASD by addressing intrinsic factors, however they do not address contextual barriers, such as environmental and interpersonal factors, which also influence participation. Factors like bullying, parents' perceptions often prioritizing therapy intervention, and challenges faced in community programs (as the lack of adaptations in existing programs to meet their needs) are some of these obstacles, which reduce adherence to physical activities (Jachyra et al., 2021). Therefore, it may be necessary to combine interventions targeting intrinsic factors, such as Sports Stars, with those that address the extrinsic contextual factors impacting the participation of adolescents with ASD in their community.

The complimentary approach of combining intrinsic (Sports Stars) and extrinsic (PREP) interventions aligns with the relationships between the person, their environment, and the quantity and quality of their participation proposed in the "family of participation related constructs (Imms et al., 2017)." By recognizing that participation depends on both the individual's abilities and the contexts and conditions in which it occurs, professionals can adopt a more holistic and tailored approach to individual needs (Imms et al., 2015).