Medication vs. Movement in ADHD: Interaction Between Medication and Physical Activity on Neurocognitive Functioning.
Beverly-Ann Hoy1, Michelle Bi1, Matthew Lam1
1Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada.
Brain Sciences
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Movement during executive functioning tasks boosts brain activity and performance in unmedicated children with ADHD, unlike their medicated peers. This suggests physical activity may aid attention in ADHD when medication is not an option.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with cortical under-arousal.
- Movement may compensate for under-arousal during attention-demanding tasks.
- The effect of medication on movement's impact on ADHD is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how movement during executive functioning tasks affects dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation and inhibitory control in children with ADHD.
- To examine the influence of medication status on these effects.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six children with ADHD (15 medicated, 11 unmedicated) and 24 controls performed a Stroop task.
- Tasks were completed while seated (Stationary) and while pedaling a desk cycle (Movement).
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured left DLPFC activation.
Main Results:
- Unmedicated ADHD children showed increased left DLPFC activity and better Stroop task accuracy during movement.
- Medicated ADHD children did not benefit from movement; some showed reduced DLPFC activation.
- Controls exhibited increased DLPFC activation during movement, similar to unmedicated ADHD participants.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity during executive tasks enhances DLPFC activation and inhibitory control in unmedicated ADHD children.
- Medicated ADHD children did not show these benefits.
- Movement may serve as a compensatory strategy for attention in ADHD when medication is not feasible or tolerated.
Keywords:
ADHD medicationAttention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)children with ADHDcognitive and behavioural modulationcortical underarousal in ADHDfunctional near-infrared spectroscopymedication and physical activityphysical activity interventionsMore Related Videos
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