Physical Fitness and Dynamic Balance in Medication Naïve Turkish Children with ADHD

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Developmental Psychology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Children with ADHD often exhibit challenges in motor control and physical coordination.
• Limited research exists on the physical fitness and dynamic balance in medication-naïve children with ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare physical fitness and dynamic balance between medication-naïve children with ADHD and typically developing (TD) peers.
• To identify specific areas of physical deficiency in children with ADHD.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 24 medication-naïve children with ADHD and 19 TD children.
• Assessment of physical fitness using the Eurofit Test Battery.
• Evaluation of dynamic balance using the Y-Balance Test.
• Measurement of body composition and cognitive attention.

Main Results:

• Children with ADHD demonstrated significantly poorer dynamic balance compared to TD children (p=0.002).
• Significant deficits were observed in upper extremity and running fitness in the ADHD group (p=0.032; p=0.002).
• No significant differences were reported in body composition or cognitive attention between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Medication-naïve children with ADHD present with notable impairments in dynamic balance and overall physical fitness.
• Interventions targeting dynamic balance and physical fitness may be beneficial for children diagnosed with ADHD.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications and therapeutic strategies.