Effectiveness of Physical Activity Intervention Programs on Reducing or Eliminating Behaviors Associated with ADHD in Children

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent disorder typically diagnosed during childhood that affects multiple domains of a child’s life (e.g., academic, social). Core behaviors associated with ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity which lead to the following diagnoses: inattentive type ADHD , hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD , or combination type ADHD. Commonly, ADHD is treated with psychostimulant medication and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. While these forms of treatment can be effective, they can also have negative side effects. The use of physical activity intervention (i.e., aerobic exercise, yoga, sports) may be a promising form of intervention for children who have ADHD in addition to more common forms of treatment. The purpose of this synthesis was to review the literature on the effectiveness of physical activity intervention programs on reducing or eliminating behaviors associated with ADHD in children.