Exercise is good for you, but is it truly helpful enough for
kids with ADHD to call it a treatment? A
recent clinical trial seems to indicate that it is.
The study
Researchers at the University of Regensburg, Germany,
conducted a small study (43 participants total) which compared the effects of either
a therapeutic exercise program or a sports program with no intervention (a
waiting list group). They found that
both exercise groups performed better in areas of working memory and motor
function.
This study confirms the impression that many parents of
children with ADHD have that physical activity helps symptoms of ADHD. It is concrete evidence that shows that
withholding recess or physical education class as a discplinary measure may be
counterproductive.
What you should do
Because physical activity
is beneficial health in general, and because it has few negative side
effects if performed in a safe manner, all people with ADHD should consider
incorporating more physical activity into their day. It may be particularly helpful to do some
sort of exercise before doing activities that usually are mentally demanding.
Parents of children with ADHD should consider protecting physical
activity as a part of their child's educational plan. Homeschoolers may want to build daily
exercise into their routine. Children in
public school may benefit from a plan specifying that gym and recess never be
withheld. Parents may even want to consider
enrolling their child in or starting a before school exercise class.
Reference:
Ziereis, Susanne, and Petra Jansen. "Effects of Physical
Activity on Executive Function and Motor Performance in Children with
ADHD." Research in Developmental Disabilities 38 (2015): 181-91.
Web.
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