Acute Physical Activity, Executive Function, and Attention Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Typically Developing Children: An Experimental Study

Abstract

A growing number of studies support the theory that physical activity can effectively foster the cognitive function of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study examines the effect of acute moderate physical activity on the executive functions and attention performance of (1) typically developing children (without psychological, psychiatric or neurological diagnosis and/or associated treatment stated in their medical history); (2) treatment-naïve ADHD children; and (3) medicated children with ADHD. In the current study, a total sample of 150 (50 non-medicated, 50 medicated, and 50 typically developing) children between the ages of 6 and 12 took part in the experiment. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI Kid) was used to measure ADHD and the child version of the Test of Attentional Performance (KiTAP) was applied to evaluate the children’s attentional and executive function performance before and after two types of intervention. In order to compare the effects of physical activity and control intervention, half of the children from each group (25 participants) took part in a 20-min long, moderately intense physical activity session on the 60–80% of their maximum heart rate, while watching a cartoon video. In the control condition, the other half of the children (25 participants) from each group watched the same cartoon video for 20 min while seated. Physical activity (compared to the just video watching control condition) had a significantly positive influence on 2 out of 15 measured parameters (median reaction time in the alertness task and error rates in the divided attention task) for the medicated group and on 2 out of the 15 measured variables (number of total errors and errors when distractor was presented, both in the distractibility task) regarding the treatment-naïve group. Future studies should focus on finding the optimal type, intensity, and duration of physical activity that could be a potential complementary intervention in treating deficits regarding ADHD in children.

Physical Activity Improves Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Irrespective of the Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—A Multi-Wave Analysis Using Data from the KiGGS Study

“…The gradual decrease in the SDQ-H/I score from the low to the high PA class suggests that PA may be considered as a health-related behavioral factor for ADHD symptoms at medium and high levels of PA, although the effect sizes were low to medium (0.13 to 0.21). These findings were consistent with several types of research that showed benefits of PA in children with ADHD [ 47 , 48 , 59 ]. Since the difference between levels of PA was not significant through age groups, it might be concluded that there is a specific range of PA that may serve as a protective element against hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.…”

“…It seems that the intensity and frequency of PA are two important factors in order to produce a positive effect on mental health. Moreover, other studies have reported that a higher level of PA is associated with better mental health [ 1 , 3 , 8 , 24 , 25 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. For example, children who were physically active 1–3 or ≥4 times per week had a lower rate of internalizing and externalizing disorders in comparison to those who were never active [ 24 ].…”

“…A number of studies, reviews, and meta-analyses have already documented some benefits of PA for ADHD-diagnosed children, including reductions in ADHD symptoms, improved academic achievement, as well as socio-emotional and cognitive performance [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. For example, an intervention study reported major reduction in ADHD symptoms among children during PA sessions, observed by teachers in school.…”

Effects of Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport on Executive Function in Young People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review

“…The research conducted by Miklós et al [ 41 ] involved 150 children (6 to 12 years old), classified into a non-medicated group (25 children in the exercise group and 25 children in the control group), a medicated group (25 children in the exercise group and 25 children in the control group) and a control group (25 children in the exercise group and 25 children in the control group), completing a physical activity session of 20 min at 60% and 80% of the maximal heart rate. Differences were found between the baseline and the result of the interventions in alertness, distraction, divided attention, and content flexibility ( p > 0.05).…”

Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in a Perinatal Nicotine Exposure Mouse Model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…While pyschostimulants methylphenidate (MPH) or amphetamines remain the first line of ADHD treatment [8][9][10], there is a growing appreciation for the beneficial role of nonpharmacological therapies. These include the use of physical activities such as exercise and sports [11][12][13]. A recent meta-analysis of 30 studies showed that moderate to intense aerobic exercise can be effective in the management of the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of ADHD [14].…”