Behavioural response to exercise in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
McKune, M.J. Pautz, J. Lombard, J.
McKune, M.J.
Pautz, J.
Lombard, J.
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Abstract
Objective.
To determine the effect of a moderate intensity exercise programme on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Design.
Thirteen ADHD children (5 - 1 3 years old, 10 boys and 3 girls) participated in a 5-week exercise programme (5 days a week, 60 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes at 50 - 75% of maximal heart rate). Six ADHD children (5 - 1 3 years old, 3 boys and 3 girls) acted as non-exercising controls. A modified Conner's Parent
Rating Scale was used to rate the children's behaviour 1 week before, after 3 weeks of exercise, and immediately: after the 5-week period.
Main outcome measures.
The scale results (total behaviour, attentive behaviour, task orientation, emotional behaviour, motor skills, and oppositional behaviour) were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) | with repeated measures. Level of significance was set at; ρ < 0.05.
Results.
There were significant improvements in the behaviour of both the exercise and control groups. Immediately after cessation of the programme the following behaviour categories were significantly improved; compared with 1 week before initiation of the programme: total behaviour (p = 0.001), attention (p = 0.008), emotional (p = 0.01), and motor skills (p = 0.004).
Conclusion.
Contrary to expectations the behaviour of all; the ADHD children in the study improved over the 5-week exercise programme. This suggests that it may ι
have been the extra attention paid by parents, guardians and exercise leaders or interaction/co-operation with peers, which altered behaviour rather than the influence of the exercise programme.
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Date
2003-12-01
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Publisher
Springer
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Keywords
Intensity exercise, Hyperactivity disorder, Task orientation, Emotional, Oppositional behaviour