Zoom Autism Magazine Issue 7 | Page 10

5. Individual sports improve coordination. All sports improve coordination, but individual sports tend to be more “whole body” sports. Think of the type of movement required for swimming breaststroke versus the type of movement required for playing shortstop. 6. Individual sports can burn off a lot of excess energy. Many individual sports are endurance-based. Even moderately vigorous physical activity will burn off excess energy and trigger the release of endorphins, which not only improve mood but can reduce anxiety and improve sleeping habits. 7. Individual sports tend to be rhythmic, repetitive and predictable. Not only are running, cycling and swimming like large-scale, socially-acceptable stims, but also, they use a limited number of movements that focus on gross motor skills. Together, these qualities make them both easy to learn and a healthy part of a sensory diet. Cynthia Kim blogs at Musings of an Aspie and is the author of two books: Nerdy, Shy and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life and I Think I Might Be Autistic. 10 ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses 11