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The Effects of Physical Exercise on Functional Outcomes in the Treatment of ADHD: A Meta-Analysis

Forfatter(e)
Vysniauske, R. Verburgh, L. Oosterlaan, J. Molendijk, M. L.
År
2016
DOI
10.1177/1087054715627489
Tidsskrift
Journal of Attention Disorders
Sider
09
Kategori(er)
ADHD
Tiltakstype(r)
Fysisk aktivitet
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of studies suggest possible beneficial effects of exercise in alleviating ADHD functional outcomes. The current study provides a quantitative meta-analysis of the available studies investigating this relationship.

METHOD: Studies reporting on the effects of physical exercise on motor skills and executive functions in children with ADHD were identified through Cochrane, PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science databases. Ten publications were selected. Random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes.

RESULTS: There was a significant effect of exercise on ADHD functional outcomes (g = 0.627). Longer exercise intervention duration was consistently associated with larger effect sizes. Effect sizes were not related to exercise intensity, mean age of participants, or gender distribution.

CONCLUSION: Results suggest that exercise has a modest positive impact on ADHD functional outcomes, such as executive functions and motor skills, with longer interventions yielding better results.

Copyright © The Author(s) 2016.