Effects of Physical Activity Intervention on Motor Proficiency and Physical Fitness in Children With ADHD: An Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored how a 12-week simulated developmental horse-riding program (SDHRP) combined with fitness training influenced the motor proficiency and physical fitness of children with ADHD. METHOD: Twelve children with ADHD received the intervention, whereas 12 children with ADHD and 24 typically developing (TD) children did not. The fitness levels and motor skills of the participants were assessed using standardized tests before and after the 12-week training program. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the motor proficiency, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility of the ADHD training group following the intervention. CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD exhibit low levels of motor proficiency and cardiovascular fitness; thus, using the combined 12-week SDHRP and fitness training positively affected children with ADHD.

A racket-sport intervention improves behavioral and cognitive performance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The present study assessed the effects of a 12-week table tennis exercise on motor skills, social behaviors, and executive functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the first 12-week phase, 16 children (group I) received the intervention, whereas 16 children (group II) did not. A second 12-week phase immediately followed with the treatments reversed. Improvements were observed in executive functions in both groups after the intervention. After the first 12-week phase, some motor and behavioral functions improved in group I. After the second 12-week phase, similar improvements were noted for group II, and the intervention effects achieved in the first phase were persisted in group I. The racket-sport intervention is valuable in promoting motor skills, social behaviors, and executive functions and should be included within the standard-of-care treatment for children with ADHD.