The Effects of Physical Activity on Key Variables That Influence the Characteristics of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of physical activity on key variables that influence the characteristics of children with ADHD, employing an optimized framework to yield more accurate results.

Methods and Materials: This semi-experimental study utilized a pre-test. Post-test design with a control group. Eighteen male participants, aged 8 to 12 years and diagnosed with ADHD, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group engaged in a 12-session exercise protocol, consisting of 40 minutes of physical activity at 60% intensity. Evaluations were conducted using pre-test and post-test measures, including the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) (Razold et al., 1956), Wechsler Memory Scale (Bluber, 1939), Child Anxiety Questionnaire (Spence, 2003), Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (Warni, 2003), and Conners Parent Rating Scale (Conners, 1960). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 with repeated measures ANOVA, establishing a significance level of P<0.05

Findings: The ANOVA results revealed significant effects in several areas: impulsivity was significant on the Conners Parent Rating Scale (p=0.049); in terms of quality of life, social functioning (p=0.032) and psychological well-being (p=0.012) showed notable improvements; regarding attention assessments, response errors in image recognition were significant (p=0.039); and in the Wechsler tests, digit span (p=0.0001), associative learning (p=0.047), and visual memory (p=0.03) demonstrated significant outcomes.

Conclusion: The findings indicate limited changes in behavioral indices and minimal shifts in cognitive measures. Therefore, while physical activity may serve as a potential avenue for symptom improvement, caution is advised in its application. Given the inconsistencies in the current literature, further comprehensive studies are necessary to better understand these dynamics.