Exercise before school may reduce ADHD symptoms in kids

http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/exercise-before-school-may-reduce-adhd-symptoms-in-kids/

Contact(s): Sarina Gleason , Alan Smith
Sept. 9, 2014

Paying attention all day in school as a kid isn’t easy, especially for those who are at a higher risk of ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

A new study from Michigan State University and University of Vermont researchers shows that offering daily before-school, aerobic activities to younger at-risk children could help in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in the classroom and at home. Signs can include inattentiveness, moodiness and difficulty getting along with others.

The study can be found in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

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Previous MSU research has shown improved brain function and better math and reading skills in elementary students who were exposed to a bout of physical activity.

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“Although our findings indicated that all participants showed improvements, children with ADHD risk receiving exercise benefited across a broader range of outcomes than those receiving the sedentary activities,” Smith said.

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