Effect of stimulant medication on lower extremity response time of boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been labeled as "inefficient movers"; however, little research has examined the effect of stimulant medication on lower extremity movements. 16 boys, 11 to 13 years old, with ADHD performed a lower-limb choice-response time task, both on and off medication. When nonmedicated, children had significantly slower reaction times to all three targets and significantly slower movement times for the contralateral and midline movements. For both conditions, children had significantly faster movement time when using the right leg than the left leg. These findings suggest that movement characteristics of children with ADHD are different under medicated and nonmedicated situations.
Pedersen
Scott J
SJ
Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Department, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001-MSC 3M, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA. pedersen@nmsu.edu
Surburg
Paul R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants