Improved Executive Functioning with 5 Minutes of Physical Activity

The Journal of Attention Disorders published research on two studies to investigate the role of physical activity on the affect and executive functioning of children with symptoms of ADHD. One study explored the association between physical activity and affect in the daily lives of children with varying degrees of hyperactivity.  The second study randomly assigned children with ADHD a physical activity or a sedentary task before working on a executive function task.

The results indicated the following:

1.  Lack of physical activity was shown to relate to depressed affect, more strongly in participants with severe hyperactivity symptoms.
2. The physically active participants showed improved executive functioning after only 5 min of vigorous activity; the sedentary control participants showed no improvement.

The researchers concluded that increasing the level of physical activity in children with and without ADHD might improve affect and executive functioning.

Title: Mini Movement Breaks
By: Your Therapy Source

Summary: Download of 60+ quick sensory motor activity cards for school,
home or therapy clinic.  FIND OUT MORE AT http://www.yourtherapysource.com/minimove.html

Reference:  Caterina Gawrilow, Gertraud Stadler, Nadine Langguth, Alexander Naumann, and Antje Boeck.  Physical Activity, Affect, and Cognition in Children With Symptoms of ADHD.
Journal of Attention Disorders. February 2016 20: 151-162, first published on July 26, 2013 doi:10.1177/1087054713493318

ADHD, Exercise and Learning

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics recognizes the benefits of exercise to improve academic abilities in children with ADHD.  In this study, 40 children total (20 with ADHD 20 without ADHD), ages 8 -10 years old spent 20 minutes walking briskly on a treadmill or 20 minutes reading.  This was followed by a reading comprehension test, math exam and a computer game (goal of computer game was to ignore visual stimuli).  The results indicated that all of the children scored better following the bout of exercise.  In addition, following exercise the children with ADHD did a better job at slowing down after making an error to avoid repeat mistakes.  The researchers concluded that children need more physical activity throughout the day.

This is an excellent tip to offer to teachers before the next state exams, especially with all the new APPR requirements and test score results - take a brisk walk for 20 minutes right before the exams.  Free, healthy and super simple to carry out.

Need ideas to squeeze physical activity in throughout the school day?  Check out the following -
Classroom Activity Posters, Mini Movement Breaks, Roll Some Fun, Dancing with the Owls and Educational Sensory Motor Activities.

Reference: Michigan State University. Exercise may lead to better school performance for kids with ADHD. Retrieved from the web on 10/17/12 at http://news.msu.edu/story/exercise-may-help-learning-for-kids-with-adhd/