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 .
Effects of combined exercise on physical fitness and neurotransmitters in children with ADHD: a pilot randomized controlled study
[ Purpose ] The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a jump rope and ball combined exercise program on the physical fitness the neurotransmitter ( epinephrine , serotonin ) levels of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder . [ Subjects and Methods ] The subjects were 12 boys attending elementary school , whose grade levels ranged from 1–4 . The block r and omization method was used to distribute the participants between the combined exercise group ( n = 6 ) and control group ( n = 6 ) . The program consisted of a 60-min exercise ( 10-min warm-up , 40-min main exercise , and 10-min cool down ) performed three times a week , for a total of 12 weeks . [ Results ] The exercise group showed a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance , muscle strength , muscle endurance and flexibility after 12 weeks . A significant increase in the epinephrine level was observed in the exercise group . [ Conclusion ] The 12-week combined exercise program in the current study ( jump rope and ball exercises ) had a positive effect on overall fitness level , and neurotransmission in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
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 .