title: Pilot physical activity intervention reduces severity of ADHD symptoms in young children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity associates with mental health and neurocognitive function, showing potential for addressing ADHD symptoms. As a preliminary assessment of this potential, the authors piloted a before-school physical activity intervention for young children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen children (Grades K-3) exhibiting four or more hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms on the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (Pelham, 2002) completed about 26 min of continuous moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily over eight school weeks. The authors administered cognitive, motor, social, and behavioral functioning measures at pre- and postprogram, assessed response inhibition weekly, and coded negative behaviors daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several measures showed significant or marginally significant change over time (effect size = 0.35-0.96) with additional measures showing meaningful effect size values (≥ 0.20). Response inhibition effects were most consistent. Most participants (64% to 71%) exhibited overall improvement according to postprogram parent, teacher, and program staff ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity shows promise for addressing ADHD symptoms in young children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2046, USA. alsmith7@purdue.edu
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoza
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Linnea
authors.forename: Julia D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McQuade
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomb
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: Erin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Shoulberg
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hook
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index