The effect of physical activity with and without cognitive demand on the improvement of executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD

ABSTRACT

Background: Purposeful physical activities improve cognitive functions. Two possible mechanisms are available for this intervention including the impact of the physical component of exercise and goal-directedness as a cognitive component. In the present study, we aimed to compare the effect of physical activity with and without cognitive demand on executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD.

Methods: Thirty children with ADHD were randomly assigned to two equal groups of physical activity training with and without cognitive demand. Exercise for cognitive improvement and rehabilitation (EXCIR) or running, as an aerobic exercise, were used for intervention in two groups. Executive functions and ADHD symptoms were measured in three sessions including baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up assessments, using 1-back, Wisconsin Card Sorting, and Go/No-Go tests and Conner’s Teacher and Parent Rating scales. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for analysis.

Results: The results showed physical activity with cognitive demand, compared to the physical activity without cognitive demand, has a better and longer impact on the improvement of executive functions and ADHD symptoms.

Conclusions: Cognitive rehabilitation with combined physical and cognitive tasks has a beneficial and lasting impact on impaired executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise for cognitive improvement and rehabilitation (EXCIR)
• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• physical activity
• cognitive rehabilitation
• executive functions

Acknowledgments

V Nejati designed the EXCIR program, conceptualized the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. Z Derakhshan gathered the data. This project was conducted by personal grant of the authors. The authors thank their participants who greatly helped them with their patience in performing the project.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This article was supported by the personal grant of the authors IRCT20200706048032N1.