The Effect of Fundamental Motor Skill Training by “Teaching Game for Understanding” Approach on Motor and Cognitive Skills in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Fundamental motor skills and attentional difficulties are observed in a large proportion of children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 4-week training fundamental movement with the approach of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) on motor and cognitive skills in children with ADHD.

The method of the study was semi-experimental, which was done by pretest-posttest design with a control group. 18 students between the ages of 7 and 10 (8.05±1.10) were selected as the sample. In the pre-test stage, participants performed the third edition of Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) and Attention Networks Test (ANT). Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The training process consisted of 4 weeks (2 sessions of 60 minutes per week). After the intervention process, a post-test was taken. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measurements and independent t-test.

The results of data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in motor skills (p=0.001) including locomotor (p<0.001) and hub skills (p=0.019) as well as cognitive skills (p<0.001).

In general, it can be said that a 4-week training of fundamental skills with the Teaching Games for Understanding approach can improve motor and cognitive development in ADHD children.