There is no longer any debate that Prescriptive Exercise is an effective treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Science has proven that it works in both the laboratory and in the classroom. As little of 5 minutes of intense exercise will cause children and adults to focus and concentrate just as their non ADHD peers for up to 2 hours.

Below is a round-up of the most helpful articles and studies explaining the benefits of exercise as treatment for ADHD:

1) Prescriptive Exercise changes the neurotransmitters in the ADHD brain.

”Exercise not only encourages the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, but by doing so has the same effect on the brain as the stimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin).”  In this post on the Everyday Health blog, Kristen Sewart explains the psychological benefits of exercise for ADHD.

2) Exercise causes the frontal region of your brain to work better.

“The exercise effect postulate that exercise allocates attention resources, influences the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and is implicated in exercise-induced dopamine release.” In this study, a team of neuropsychologists clinically tested the effect of acute exercise on children with ADHD.

3) Exercise is a long term beneficial treatment for ADHD with no known side effects unlike other treatments of medication and behavioural training.

This study by Jeffery M. Halperin researches the influences of environmental enrichment, cognitive enhancement, and physical exercise on brain development.

4) Exercise helps treat the impulsivity common in some types of ADHD.

“The findings suggest that a single exercise bout improves inhibitory control and the allocation of attentional resources.” This study by Sebastian Ludyga researches the effects of aerobic and coordinative exercise on inhibitory control in children with ADHD.

5) Children, teens and adults with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem.

Exercise and the sense of accomplishment and mastery appears to enhance self-esteem. The Science supports this notion.

“This review of trials suggests that exercise has positive short-term effects on self-esteem in children and young people, and concludes that exercise may be an important measure in improving children’s self-esteem.” This study reviews how exercise improves self-esteem in children and young people.

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