Investigation of the effects of regular physical activity on children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of regular physical activity on 8-12 years old boys diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and have been receiving stimulant for 6 months. Method: A total of 46 boys aged 8-12 years old with ADHD have been enrolled in this randomized-controlled study. 23 cases randomized to be the control group and the other 23 randomized to be the regular physical activity group. All cases in both groups have completed DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale, Quality of Life Scale for Children (QoL-C) 8-12 years Group Parent and Child Form, and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. The control group continued to receive the stimulant for 10 weeks with no additional intervention. The regular physical activity group have completed 3 sessions of football training per week, each lasted 60 minutes, for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks all cases completed DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale, QoL-C 8-12 years Group Parent and Child Form, and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, again. Result: Age groups, ADHD sub groups and comorbidity distributions of regular physical activity group and control group were similar in this study. In the regular physical activity group, significant decrease in emotional, behavioral, attention deficit and hyperactivity, peer relations and overall difficulties scores on subscales of strength and difficulties questionnaire (p<0,05) were observed. In addition, statistically significant decrease in attention deficit, hyperactivity subtests and on overall score of DuPaul ADHD (p<0,001), and significant increase in physical health, psychosocial health and overall score on subscales of QoL-C 8-12 years group Parent and Child Form (p<0,05). No significant change have been determined between first and last tests of the control group (p>0,05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that physical activity is benefical to decrease the signs of ADHD, the severity of disease and behavioral problems. In addition physical activity seems to have affirmative effect on quality of life of children diagnosed with ADHD receiving stimulant treatment. Together with the stimulant treatment, regular physical activity can contribute to treatment of the children with ADHD.