Overall , the studies review ed were of moderate-to-high quality and reported benefits of a variety of exercise programmes in improving motor skills , physical fitness , attention and social behaviour in children with ADHD .
However , there was limited information regarding school-based programmes , the effects of structured exercise programmes independently or in combination with cognitive-based therapies , and the long-term benefits of exercises in alleviating behavioural problems in these children
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) are educated in classrooms along with typically developing children .
Those with ADHD , however , find it difficult to participate in routine educational and recreational activities as they encounter problems associated with behaviour , attention , motor skills and physical endurance .
Traditionally , the management of children with ADHD has focussed primarily on problems with cognition and has been heavily dependent on pharmaceutical interventions and , to a lesser extent , on non-pharmaceutical measures .
More recently , experts have increasingly advocated the use of exercises in alleviating symptoms associated with ADHD .
The primary objective of this review was to summarize research that examined the role of exercises on deficits related to attention , motor skills and fitness in children with ADHD .
Does Methylphenidate Improve Inhibition and Other Cognitive Abilities in Adults with Childhood-Onset ADHD?
We examined the effect of methylpheni date ( Mph ) on inhibition and several other cognitive abilities in 43 adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) by use of Conners ’ Continuous Performance Test ( CPT ) and the Change Task ( ChT ) , an extension of the Stop Signal Test ( SST ) . In a double blind , cross-over , placebo controlled study with Mph , tests were administered during the third week of individually titrated treatment with Mph ( maximum dose 1 mg / kg / day ) and during the third week of treatment with placebo . We established large medication effects for commission errors , st and ard error of mean reaction time , and attentiveness on the CPT , as well as moderate medication effects for mean reaction time on the CPT and response re-engagement speed on the ChT. For Stop Signal Reaction Time ( SSRT ) on the ChT , we also established large effects of Mph , but only in a group of participants who showed slow SSRTs on placebo . Mph indeed ameliorates inhibition , which is the core problem of ADHD , and certain other cognitive abilities in adults with ADHD . This research was supported by grants from Mental Health Institute GGZ Delfl and , Health Insurance Company DSW , Nationaal Fonds Geestelijke Volksgezondheid ( National Foundation for Mental Health ) , and De Hersenstichting ( Brain Foundation ) . We thank Alex de Jager , Judith Rietjens , and Susan ter Linden for their help in collecting the data . We thank the Board of Scientific Activities of the Reinier de Graaf Hospital in Delft for their financial contribution to the preparation of the study medication . We thank Paul van der Linden for his help with the r and omization procedure
Overall , the studies review ed were of moderate-to-high quality and reported benefits of a variety of exercise programmes in improving motor skills , physical fitness , attention and social behaviour in children with ADHD .
However , there was limited information regarding school-based programmes , the effects of structured exercise programmes independently or in combination with cognitive-based therapies , and the long-term benefits of exercises in alleviating behavioural problems in these children
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) are educated in classrooms along with typically developing children .
Those with ADHD , however , find it difficult to participate in routine educational and recreational activities as they encounter problems associated with behaviour , attention , motor skills and physical endurance .
Traditionally , the management of children with ADHD has focussed primarily on problems with cognition and has been heavily dependent on pharmaceutical interventions and , to a lesser extent , on non-pharmaceutical measures .
More recently , experts have increasingly advocated the use of exercises in alleviating symptoms associated with ADHD .
The primary objective of this review was to summarize research that examined the role of exercises on deficits related to attention , motor skills and fitness in children with ADHD .