How does exercise help manage symptoms of ADHD in children?
It can be challenging for ADHD parents and children to manage their symptoms using medication or psychotherapy. Exercise can be used to manage ADHD symptoms and improve mental and physical health in children, according to research.
This video will explain the neuroscience behind ADHD and how exercise can help children with ADHD symptoms. You will be shown suggested exercise guidelines and an example exercise plan to help you experience the benefits.
This video was created by McMaster students Kruti Bhakta, Arthiga Arumugarasan and Divya Sriselvan in collaboration the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.
Copyright McMaster University 2021.
References:
Archer, T., & Kostrzewa, R. M. (2012). ADHD symptoms can be relieved by physical exercise: Development trajectory and regional deficits. Neurotoxicity Research, 21(2), 195-209. 0
Cho, H. S., Baek, D. J., & Baek, S. S. (2014). Exercise and hyperactivity in spontaneous hypertensive rats: Dopamine D2 receptor expression in striatum and substantia-nigra. Journal of Exercise Nutrition and Biochemistry, 18(4), 379-384. 9
Christiansen, L., Beck, M. M., Bilenberg, N., Wienecke, J., Astrup, A., & Lundbye-Jensen, J. (2019). Exercise and cognitive performance in children and adolescents with ADHD: Possible mechanisms and evidence-based recommendations. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(6), 841. 1
Faber Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). A walk in the park helps children with attention deficits focus better. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(5), 402-409. 0
Mehren, A., Reichert, M., Coghill, D., Muller, H. H. O., Braun, N., & Philipsen, A. (2020). Exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorders – Evidence and implications regarding the treatment of borderline personality disorder. In Borderline Personality Disorder (Vol. 7, Issue 1. BioMed Central Ltd. 2
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Rassovsky, Y., & Alfassi, T. (2019). ADHD patients’ attention improves with physical exercise. Frontiers in Psychology 9(JAN). 7
Sharma, A., & Couture, J. (2013). An overview of the pathophysiology and etiology of attention-deficithyperactivity disorder (adhd). Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 48(2), 209-225. doi: 10. 1177/1060028013510699
Verret, C., Guay, M. C., Berthiaume, C., Gardiner, P., & Beliveau, L. (2012). An exploratory study to determine if a physical activity program can improve the behavior and cognitive function of children with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 16(1), 71-80. 5
