title: The Effects of Physical Exercise on Functional Outcomes in the Treatment of ADHD: A Meta-Analysis.
abstract: Objective:An increasing number of studies suggest possible beneficial effects of exercise in alleviating ADHD functional outcomes. The current study provides a quantitative meta-analysis of the available studies investigating this relationship.Method:Studies reporting on the effects of physical exercise on motor skills and executive functions in children with ADHD were identified through Cochrane, PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science databases. Ten publications were selected. Random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes.Results:There was a significant effect of exercise on ADHD functional outcomes (g= 0.627). Longer exercise intervention duration was consistently associated with larger effect sizes. Effect sizes were not related to exercise intensity, mean age of participants, or gender distribution.Conclusion:Results suggest that exercise has a modest positive impact on ADHD functional outcomes, such as executive functions and motor skills, with longer interventions yielding better results.
authors: Vilnius University Children's Hospital, Lithuania.
authors: Ruta
authors: R
authors: Vysniauske
authors: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Lot
authors: L
authors: Verburgh
authors: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Jaap
authors: J
authors: Oosterlaan
authors: Leiden University, The Netherlands.
authors: Marc L
authors: ML
authors: Molendijk
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: ADHD; children; executive function; exercise; motor performance