Dimensions of Physical Activity as Related to Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Impairment

Abstract

Empirically-supported treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are medication and behaviour management, but there is widespread consensus for a need for more treatment options. Increasing support suggests that physical activity (PA) may be an adjunct/alternative to existing treatment; however, little is known regarding how to best utilize PA to lower ADHD core symptoms and impairment. Important PA dimensions include intensity, frequency, and duration of the activity. Understanding how these PA dimensions relate to ADHD core symptoms and impairment may be the first step towards the goal of developing effective clinical guidelines regarding PA.This study examined the associations between PA dimensions with children’s ADHD symptoms and impairments. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that PA intensity and duration in combination explained some of the variance in ADHD core symptoms, above and beyond what ADHD impairment explained. The positive association between PA intensity and duration, and ADHD core symptoms suggests that the more ADHD core symptoms the child shows, the greater the services the child may need. Additional exploratory analysis showed that the more parents engage PA within their child’s routine, the more their child engages in intense and longer durations of PA.This study shows the link between dimensions of PA and ADHD core symptoms, and explores the importance of children’s access to PA, especially for those with more severe symptoms of ADHD. It also highlights the role parents may play in their child’s engagement in PA. PA may have the potential to be an evidence-based treatment option for children with ADHD, but this study underscores the need for more work in this area.