A new literature analysis of 20 studies on exercise in autism showed improvement in manipulative skills, locomotor skills, skill related fitness, social functioning, and muscular strength and endurance, (Sean Healy, Adam Nacario, Rock E. Braithwaite, Chris Hopper, "The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions on Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis," Autism Research (2018): doi:10.1002/aur.1955).
How do we get individuals motivated through exercise? We can do it through ABA. Please check out before and after videos (https://www.facebook.com/ilanaslaff) of my daughter learning to ride a bike/trike on my facebook page. Initally, she needed frequent positive reinforcement with edibles. That has been successfully faded. Notice in the after video, no one is holding edibles in front of her.