Effects of Physical Exercise Intervention on Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children With ADHD: A Pilot Study

J Atten Disord. 2019 Feb;23(4):384-397. doi: 10.1177/1087054715569282. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effect of a 12-week table tennis exercise on motor skills and executive functions in children with ADHD.

Method: Fifteen children with ADHD received the intervention, whereas 15 children with ADHD and 30 typically developing children did not. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2, Stroop, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were conducted before and after the intervention.

Results: After the intervention, the ADHD training group scored significantly higher in the locomotor as well as object-control skills, Stroop Color-Word condition, and WCST total correct performance compared with the ADHD non-training group, and we noted improvements in the locomotor as well as object-control skills, Stroop Color-Word condition, and three aspects of the WCST performances of the ADHD training group over time.

Conclusion: A 12-week table tennis exercise may have clinical relevance in motor skills and executive functions of children with ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD; executive functions; motor skills; physical exercise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology
  • Executive Function / physiology
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Wisconsin Card Sorting Test