Physical Exercise as a Therapeutic Strategy for ADHD in Children and Adolescents
Background: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurobiological disorders in children and adolescents. It is characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention, impulsivity, and excessive physical activity, which affect daily functioning at scho...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62414 |
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| Summary: | Background: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurobiological disorders in children and adolescents. It is characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention, impulsivity, and excessive physical activity, which affect daily functioning at school, at home, and in social interactions. Traditional approaches to ADHD treatment are primarily based on pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy. However, there is a growing interest in the role of physical activity as a natural and complementary method for managing the disorder.
Aim: This article aims to analyze the impact of different forms of physical activity on alleviating ADHD symptoms amongst young patients and to explore the mechanisms through which sports can serve as an effective therapeutic tool.
Materials and methods: A review was conducted incorporating data from PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as “ADHD”, “sports”, “physical activity”,“mental health”, “adolescents” and “children”.
Results: Scientific studies indicate that regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises and team sports, can improve executive functions, emotional regulation, and concentration levels in children with ADHD. Moreover, physical activity influences neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which play a key role in ADHD symptoms.
Conclusion: A literature review suggests that incorporating physical activity into the daily lives of children with ADHD can help alleviate symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, impaired executive function, emotional dysregulation, and poor concentration. However, study outcomes remain inconsistent and call for further investigation. Gaining a clearer understanding of the mechanisms through which physical activity exerts its effects, as well as determining the most effective approaches, could support the development of new therapeutic strategies for managing ADHD in young individuals.
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| ISSN: | 2450-3118 |