Effects of a selected exercise programon executive function of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Child Psychology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in executive functions.
• Executive functions, such as inhibition and attention, are crucial for daily functioning and academic success.
• Current ADHD interventions often focus on medication and behavioral therapy, with limited exploration of physical activity's role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a structured exercise program on the executive functions of male children diagnosed with ADHD.
• To determine if physical activity can enhance cognitive and behavioral inhibition in this population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 40 male students aged 7-11 years with ADHD.
• Participants were assigned to either an experimental group (24 exercise sessions) or a control group (no intervention).
• Executive function was assessed using Stroop and Go-No-Go tests before and after the intervention, with data analyzed via MANCOVA.

Main Results:

• The exercise program group demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive inhibition compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• Significant enhancements in behavioral inhibition were also observed in the experimental group relative to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Organized physical activity is an effective strategy for improving executive functions in children with ADHD.
• Exercise interventions show promise as a complementary approach to managing ADHD symptoms, particularly those related to inhibition.