Exercise as ADHD Treatment

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that physical activity may be a helpful addition to managing ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents, particularly for improving executive functions like attention and impulse control. However, the effectiveness can vary depending on the type of exercise, and more research is ongoing to understand the best approaches.

Key findings

• Regular physical activity interventions, including aerobic exercise and mind-body activities, appear to improve executive functions in school-aged children with ADHD.
• Different types of physical exercise, such as aerobic and resistance training, can positively impact executive functions and related ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents.
• Exercise seems to help with attention deficits and other key symptoms of ADHD in children, but the specific benefits can depend on the exercise program.
• Digital cognitive-physical interventions, which combine physical activity with cognitive tasks, show promise in improving attention and reducing ADHD symptoms.
• While exercise is a beneficial supportive measure, it is not consistently presented as a primary standalone treatment for ADHD and should be considered alongside other established treatments.

Studies cited (8)

1. Effect of physical activity interventions on executive functions in school-age children with ADHD: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Li D, Miao C, Wang D (2025, Journal of affective disorders, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.155

2. Comparative effectiveness of various physical exercise interventions on executive functions and related symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis — Zhu F, Zhu X, Bi X (2023, Frontiers in public health, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1133727 PMCID: PMC10080114

3. Effects of physical exercise on attention deficit and other major symptoms in children with ADHD: A meta-analysis — Sun W, Yu M, Zhou X (2022, Psychiatry research, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114509

4. Treatments for ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review — Peterson BS, Trampush J, Maglione M (2024, Pediatrics, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-065787

5. A Digital Cognitive-Physical Intervention for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial — Zhao L, Agazzi H, Du Y (2024, Journal of medical Internet research, rct)

   DOI: 10.2196/55569 PMCID: PMC11127175

6. Effects of physical exercise on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — Chan YS, Jang JT, Ho CS (2022, Biomedical journal, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.11.011 PMCID: PMC9250090

7. The effect of physical activity with and without cognitive demand on the improvement of executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD — Nejati V, Derakhshan Z (2021, Expert review of neurotherapeutics, other)

   DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1912600

8. Effects of physical activity on executive function and motor performance in children with ADHD — Ziereis S, Jansen P (2015, Research in developmental disabilities, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.12.005