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 .
Multimodal Therapy Involving High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the Physical Fitness, Motor Skills, Social Behavior, and Quality of Life of Boys With ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Study
Objective : To compare the effects of multimodal therapy including supervised high-intensity interval training ( HIIT ) with those of st and ard multimodal therapy ( TRAD ) concerning key variables of physical fitness ( peak power and oxygen uptake ) , motor skills , social behavior , and quality of life in boys with ADHD . Method : A single-center , two-arm r and omized , controlled design was used , with 28 boys ( 8 - 13 years of age , IQ = 83 - 136 ) being r and omly assigned to multimodal HIIT  ( three sessions/week , 4 × 4-min intervals at 95 % of peak heart rate ) or TRAD . The Movement Assessment Battery for Children II evaluated motor skills and the German version of the hyperkinetic disorder question naire for external evaluation by the guardians ( FBB-HKS ) or German version of the hyperkinetic disorder question naire for self- assessment by the children ( SBB-HKS ) and the KINDL-R question naires mental health and health-related quality of life . Results : Both interventions enhanced peak power , and HIIT also reduced submaximal oxygen uptake . HIIT was more effective than TRAD  in improving the total score for motor skills ( including manual dexterity and ball skills ; p < .05 ) , self-esteem , friends , and competence ( p < .05 ) and , moreover , improved subjective ratings of attention . Conclusion : Three weeks of multimodal therapy including HIIT improved physical fitness , motor skills , certain aspects of quality of life , competence , and attention in boys with ADHD
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 .