[The relationship between physical activity and executive functions among children with attention-deficit...

The connection between physical activity and executive functions has recently started to emerge as a new focus of research within the field of attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD). In the present paper we summarise the major findings of these studies concentrating specifically on paediatric population. We present the results of six studies that focus on the connection between acute physical activity and executive functions and seven others that examine the relationship between chronic physical activity and executive functions in children with ADHD. The forms of physical activity as well as the executive functions measured show great variability within the studies reviewed. Four out of the six studies using acute physical activity, and all of the studies using chronic physical activity have found evidence of improvement in at least some areas of executive functioning. Further studies are needed to confirm the applicability of acute as well as chronic physical activity as a potential additional treatment in ADHD. Also, clarifying the optimal parameters (i.e. type, intensity, duration, frequency) of physical activity while also taking into consideration the individual characteristics (i.e. gender, age, physical fittness, type of ADHD, comorbidity) of children with ADHD could be important aims of future studies.