The Effect of Exercise Program on Reducing Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children

This research was conducted to study the effect of exercise program on reducing symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Thirty children aged 7-10 years with ADHD were chosen from a clinic in Kerman، Iran and assigned randomly into two experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in physical therapy for eight weeks. Data were collected using ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). The parents completed ADHD-RS prior to intervention and after second، fourth، sixth and eighth weeks of exercise program. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. At the end of intervention phase and during followups، the scores of attention deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity had decreased significantly; with a more reduction in the scores as time passed (p<0. 05). The exercise program is effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.