ADHD and Physical Activity.

OPPOSITIONAL defiant disorder in children; ATTENTION-deficit hyperactivity disorder; MEDICAL personnel; PHYSICAL activity; ADULTS; TEENAGERS

A small portion of American children, adolescents, and adults are affected by attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a chronic mental condition that includes a variety of symptoms. The brain activity of individuals with ADHD is abnormal in its characteristics of neurotransmitter activity during tasks that require attention. Symptoms are often treated with medication that stimulates attention levels. For individuals diagnosed with ADHD, these pharmaceutical interventions are often paired with structured social and behavioral support as well as dietary modifications for further remediation of symptoms. In addition, physical activity (PA) interventions present additional nonpharmaceutical opportunities that reduce ADHD symptoms. This article presents an extensive literature review assessing the notion that neuroactivation and attentional performance of children and adolescents with ADHD can be optimized with interventions of PA. Overall, research has suggested that PA interventions that are free of cost and do not rely on health care professionals can be easily adapted into a daily schedule for individuals with ADHD and effectively prepare individuals for bouts of attentional effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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