Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introduction In recent years, physical activity as a potential intervention for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) became into the focus of researchers, however the results are conflicting. Objectives Our aim was to investigate the effect of acute moderate physical activity on executi...

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Main Authors: M. Miklós, D. Komáromy, J. Futó, J. Balazs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022-06-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382200387X/type/journal_article
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author M. Miklós
D. Komáromy
J. Futó
J. Balazs
author_facet M. Miklós
D. Komáromy
J. Futó
J. Balazs
author_sort M. Miklós
collection DOAJ
description Introduction In recent years, physical activity as a potential intervention for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) became into the focus of researchers, however the results are conflicting. Objectives Our aim was to investigate the effect of acute moderate physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition. Methods The study included 50 treatment-naïve ADHD children, 50 medicated children with ADHD and 50 typically developing children, aged 6–12 years. To diagnose ADHD, we applied the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. To measure executive functions, the pediatric version of the Test of Attentional Performance (KiTAP) was used. Half of the children in each study group participated in a 20-minute, moderately intense exercise while watching a cartoon video. In the control intervention, the other half of the children from all three study groups watched the same cartoon video in a sitting position for 20 min. Results Regarding distractibility, flexibility and inhibition, physical activity had a significant positive effect on two of 10 parameters (number of total errors and errors when distractor was presented, both in the distractibility task) in the treatment-naïve ADHD group. Conclusions Our results suggest that moderate acute physical activity has some significant positive effects on certain executive function parameters among children with ADHD. Future studies should consider determining the optimal form, intensity, and duration of physical activity to become a potential adjunctive intervention for children diagnosed with ADHD. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-5f3c3de749fd444f9adddef1c58ebe142023-11-17T05:07:44ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S143S14310.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.387Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorderM. Miklós0D. Komáromy1J. Futó2J. Balazs3Eötvös Loránd University, Institute Of Psychology, Department Of Developmental And Clinical Child Psychology, Budapest, Hungary Pedagogical Assistance Services, Budapest, HungaryEötvös Loránd University, Institute Of Psychology, Department Of Developmental And Clinical Child Psychology, Budapest, Hungary Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty Of Behavioural And Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands Universiteit van Amsterdam, Faculty Of Social And Behavioral Sciences, Amsterdam, NetherlandsEötvös Loránd University, Institute Of Psychology, Department Of Developmental And Clinical Child Psychology, Budapest, HungaryEötvös Loránd University, Institute Of Psychology, Department Of Developmental And Clinical Child Psychology, Budapest, Hungary Bjørknes University College, Oslo, Norway Introduction In recent years, physical activity as a potential intervention for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) became into the focus of researchers, however the results are conflicting. Objectives Our aim was to investigate the effect of acute moderate physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition. Methods The study included 50 treatment-naïve ADHD children, 50 medicated children with ADHD and 50 typically developing children, aged 6–12 years. To diagnose ADHD, we applied the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. To measure executive functions, the pediatric version of the Test of Attentional Performance (KiTAP) was used. Half of the children in each study group participated in a 20-minute, moderately intense exercise while watching a cartoon video. In the control intervention, the other half of the children from all three study groups watched the same cartoon video in a sitting position for 20 min. Results Regarding distractibility, flexibility and inhibition, physical activity had a significant positive effect on two of 10 parameters (number of total errors and errors when distractor was presented, both in the distractibility task) in the treatment-naïve ADHD group. Conclusions Our results suggest that moderate acute physical activity has some significant positive effects on certain executive function parameters among children with ADHD. Future studies should consider determining the optimal form, intensity, and duration of physical activity to become a potential adjunctive intervention for children diagnosed with ADHD. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382200387X/type/journal_articleADHDexecutive functioninhibitionchildren
spellingShingle M. Miklós
D. Komáromy
J. Futó
J. Balazs
Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
European Psychiatry
ADHD
executive function
inhibition
children
title Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
title_full Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
title_fullStr Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
title_full_unstemmed Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
title_short Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
title_sort effects of acute physical activity on executive functions requiring inhibition among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
topic ADHD
executive function
inhibition
children
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382200387X/type/journal_article
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