Does Exercise Help Children with ADHD? — A Meta-Analysis of 15 Studies (2021)

Target: Children & adolescents with ADHD aged 6–18 (734 participants) Type: MetaAnalysis Grade: B

3-Line Summary

What: This study analyzed the effects of regular physical activity on children and adolescents with ADHD across 15 RCTs (734 participants).
Who: Children aged 6–18 diagnosed with ADHD who participated in moderate-to-vigorous exercise programs.
Result: Significant improvements were found in attention (SMD≈-0.60), executive function (SMD≈1.22), and motor skills (SMD≈0.67).

Keywords

exercise physical activity meta-analysis attention executive function

Practical Tips

Try moderate-intensity exercise (brisk walking, swimming, cycling) at least 3 times a week for 30+ minutes.
School PE classes and after-school sports activities can also be beneficial.
Consistent exercise over weeks to months showed larger effect sizes than short-term activities.