ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
A physical activity program improves behavior and cognitive functions in children with ADHD: an exploratory study
Exercise, cognition, and behavior in ADHD
Claudia Verret , Marie-Claude Guay, Claude Berthiaume, Phillip Gardiner, Louise Béliveau
Summarized by:
August 29, 2023
study source
J Atten Disord
Jan 2012
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What they studied
Can exercise improve behavior and thinking ability for those with ADHD?
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What they found
This small study found that children who were provided with a 10-week exercise program showed less impulsivity, better attention, and less anxiety, among other benefits.
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What this means
Consistent exercise with at least moderate intensity can lead to significant physical and mental health benefits for those with ADHD.
A physical activity program improves behavior and cognitive functions in children with ADHD: an exploratory study
Objectives
Researchers wanted to see the benefits of more intense exercise on ADHD symptoms, mainly regarding thinking and behavior.
While ADHD is defined by attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms, it can affect how we think and act.
Exercise has long been linked to better mental health. This study examined whether it could lead to benefits for ADHD.
Study Quote
The objective of this study is to explore the effects of a moderate- to high-intensity physical activity program on fitness, cognitive functions, and ADHD-related behavior in children with ADHD.
Methods
Researchers provided a 10-week fitness program to 11 individuals with ADHD and compared them to 11 similar volunteers who were not given a fitness program. They were measured on fitness, behavior, and cognition.
Study Quote
Fitness level, motor skills, behaviors, and cognitive functions are assessed by standardized tests before and after a 10-week training or control period.
Results
As expected, those in the exercise program had better physical fitness and motor skills than those who did not receive the exercise program.
They also significantly improved their ADHD symptoms, showing less impulsivity, less anxiety and depression, and better attention.
These results were obtained from tests the participants took and from reports from parents and teachers.
Study Quote
Findings show that participation in a physical activity program improves muscular capacities, motor skills, behavior reports by parents and teachers, and level of information processing.
Conclusions
These results demonstrate the benefits of exercise among those with ADHD. By obtaining data from parents and teachers, the authors showed that the benefits of exercise extend to both the home and the classroom:
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A main finding of this study is that both parents and teachers observed better behavioral scores in the physical activity group. This could mean that positive effects of physical activity may occur in different settings of the children’s life.
It seemed that exercise helped the children think better as well, by improving their attention spans and their information processing speeds:
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Specifically, it seems that children with ADHD in the experimental group were more efficient in information processing as shown by faster speeds of visual research and better sustained auditory attention.
These results are consistent with other studies that have demonstrated the significant benefits of exercise in ADHD:
Study Quote
A structured physical activity program may have clinical relevance in the functional adaptation of children with ADHD. This supports the need for further research in the area of physical activity with this population.