Exercise cut attention problems in children with ADHD, but trials differed.
HelpedThe short version
In 10 trials, exercise cut attention problems more than the other group did.
- 10
- studies pooled
- 474
- children with ADHD in 10 trials
- Self-rated
- people rated themselves
The review
Who took part
There were 474 children with ADHD, aged 6 to 12, in 10 trials. Most of them were boys.
What they did
Six trials had the children do exercise that also makes the brain work, such as table tennis, yoga or horse riding. The other four used aerobic exercise. Sessions lasted 20 to 90 minutes, from once to five times a week, for 6 to 20 weeks. The other group got no treatment or another activity.
What happened
Children who exercised had a moderate drop in attention problems compared with the other group. The paper's numbers differ slightly between its text and its tables, so treat the size as rough. Trials with fewer than three sessions a week showed a bigger drop than those with three or more, which showed none.
What the review found
- Helped
In 10 trials, exercise cut attention problems more than the other group did.
Pooled analysis of 10 studies with 474 people · vs children who got no treatment or another activity · they rated themselves
How solid is this?
- People rated themselves
- Numbers unreliable
Source
Effect of physical activity on attention in school-age children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2023)
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1189443 (opens in a new tab)
