The Effect of Exercise Intervention on Sustained Attention and Behavioral Inhibition in girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a course of physical exercise on sustained attention and behavioral inhibition in girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 30 girls' students aged 7-12 years were selected from primary schools in the city of Babolsar using the SNAP–IV and clinical interviews. The participants were randomly assigned to the two groups (experimental and control group). Before and after the training, all participants were assessed with Continuous Performance and Go no go tests. Experimental group received selected exercise program for 18 sessions of 60 minutes. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA. The results demonstrated that the performance of the children in experimental group was significantly different in Continuous Performance and Go no go tsts. These results suggest that the organized exercise program helps to improve sustained attention and behavioral inhibition in girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.