title: A Preliminary Examination of Aerobic Exercise Effects on Resting EEG in Children With ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study attempted to determine whether the effects of physical exercise were reflected in the resting electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern of ADHD children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two ADHD children were assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group participated in a water aerobics program for 8 weeks, whereas no intervention was administered to the control group. Resting EEGs were recorded under open-eyes condition before and after the intervention. Data from eligible participants, 15 from the exercise group (11 boys and 4 girls, 7.93 ± 1.02 years) and 14 from the control group (14 boys, 8.27 ± 1.04 years), were further analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While controlling for the baseline resting EEG, separate ANCOVAs indicated that the exercise group showed smaller theta/alpha ratios over the frontal and central brain sites after the intervention compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding suggests that aerobic exercise may enhance the cognitive functions of children with ADHD, as reflected in resting EEG.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Chung-Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: 2 National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Chin-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: 2 National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Yu-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: 3 National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Chia-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: 4 National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Yu-Kai
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: 2 National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Tsung-Min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
keywords: EEG ratios; cognitive benefits; fitness; inhibition; physical exercise