Understanding the Effects of Physical Activity on Executive Functioning and Psycho-Emotional Well-Being in Children with ADHD
Abstract
A short bout of physical activity has been shown to improve executive functioning in children. However, the implications for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been understudied. We examined the impact of a 10min bout of physical activity on executive functioning and psycho-emotional well-being in children with ADHD. Participants engaged in two lab-based sessions separated by 1-week: a physical activity session and a control session. The physical activity session included a 10min bout of moderate-intensity biking, with a pre-post battery of cognitive and psycho-emotional assessments. The control session consisted of 10mins of silent reading. We used functional imaging during the cognitive assessments to measure changes in prefrontal cortical activation. We found that 10mins of physical activity promoted greater inhibitory control, positive mood, and general self-efficacy compared to control. These findings suggest that a short bout of physical activity has the potential to improve specific aspects of ADHD symptomology.