Physical Activity and Improved Processing in ADHD
A study to be published in the Journal of Attention Disorders indicates that physical activity helped to improve the coordination, motor skills and ability to process information in children with ADHD.
Ten children (9 boys and 1 girl) with ADHD participated in a physical activity training program for 3x/week, 45 minute sessions during lunch, over a 10 week period. The control group was 11 children (10 boys and 1 girl) with ADHD who did not participate in the physical activity program. The sessions consisted of warm ups, aerobic, muscular and motor skill exercises and a cool down. The results indicated the following in the experimental group:
- increase in locomotion and total motor skill scores
- information processing improved
- increased scores in arm muscle strength
- no changes in aerobic fitness and body composition
- higher scores in behavior and attention functions
- improved scores on the social scale
You can view the full article at the Journal Of Attention Disorders.
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Reference: Verret, C et al. A Physical Activity Program Improves Behavior and Cognitive Functions in Children With ADHD : An Exploratory Study. Journal of Attention Disorders January 2012 vol. 16 no. 1 71-80