Investigation of physical fitness and cerebellar functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine physical fitness and cerebellar functions in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). Method: The study was conducted with a total of 38 children with 24 ADHD (4 girls, 20 boys) and 14 healthy children (4 girls, 10 boys). Eurofit Test Battery was used to determine the physical fitness levels of participants and Inbody 720 body composition analyzer was used to determine body composition parameters. Stroop Test, d2 Attention Test and Y Balance Test was used to asssess cerebellar functions and Computer Game Dependency Scale for Children was used to evaluate internet addiction. Results: When the children with ADHD and healthy children were compared, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of body weight, skeletal muscle weight, body fat weight, body fat ratio and body mass index (p>0.05). When the children were compared in terms of physical fitness parameters, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the Flamingo Balance and the 10x5 m Shuttle Run (p <0.05). Significant difference was found in Sit and Reach, Plate Tapping, Standing Broad Jump, Hand Grip, Sit-Ups, Bent Arm Hang and 20 m Shuttle Run Test (p> 0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the internet addiction levels (p> 0.05). It was found that impulsivity and carelessness of children with ADHD were higher than healthy children and their selective attention levels were lower (p <0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups when the reaction times or speed were compared (p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between static and dynamic balance levels between ADHD and healthy children (p <0.05). Conclusion: Children with ADHD were shown to have similar physical fitness parameters, reaction duration, and internet addiction levels compared to normal healthy children. Children with ADHD were found to have higher impulsivity and carelessness, less selective attention levels, and poorer balance performance than healthy children. Key Words: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Physical Fitness, Cerebellar Function, Internet Addiction