The effects of functional power training on attention, gross and fine motor skills, participation and quality of life in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of progressive functional strength training by comparing it with traditional strength training on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, gross and fine motor skills, muscle performance, participation, and quality of life. Method: There were thirty-four children with ADHD, ages 6–12, and twenty-seven children without ADHD. Children with ADHD were divided into two groups at random. Treatment group received power exercises (n = 17, mean age: 10.11.38 years). Control group received traditional strength training (n = 17, mean age: 9.68 1.12 years). The training lasted 45 minutes per session, twice a week for eight weeks. The Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised Long Version was used to examine ADHD symptoms, while the Bruininks-Oseretsky motor skills scale was used to assess motor skills. The muscle power sprint test, basketball throw test, 1-minute walk test, lateral step-up, sit to stand, and attain stand half knee test were among muscle performance tests. Participation and Environment Measure for Children-Youth and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory were used to assess participation and quality of life. For data analysis, two-way ANOVA, paired-sample t-test, and Student Newman-Keuls post hoc test was used. Results: At baseline, there were significant differences between groups in lower extremity power results and balance scale scores (p 0.05). Other baseline assessments revealed no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Both groups showed considerable progress after 8 weeks of training (p 0.05). In terms of after the treatment motor abilities, muscle performance, and quality of life, children who received functional strength training performed on par with healthy children. Conclusion: Children with ADHD in the progressive functional strength training group develop more than those in the traditional strength training group in terms of motor skills, muscle performance, involvement, and quality of life as rated by the children.