Exercise Duration and Its Association with ADHD Symptom Severity in Children and Adolescents: A Parent-Reported Survey Study

Authors: Taddonio SA

DOI: 10.23880/aphot-16000285

Volume 8, Issue 3

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between exercise duration and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity in children and adolescents. A quantitative, quasi-experimental post-test only design was used with 199 parents of children aged 6–17 with diagnosed ADHD. Exercise duration was categorized into three groups: minimal (<60 min/ day), moderate (61–120 min/day), and maximal (121–180 min/day). ADHD symptoms were measured using the ADHD Rating Scale-5. ANOVA results indicated a statistically significant difference in symptom severity across groups (F(2,196) = 6.48, p = .002), with post-hoc analysis revealing that the maximal exercise group exhibited significantly lower symptoms compared to the moderate group. Findings support incorporating structured physical activity into ADHD management strategies and contribute to the Optimal Stimulation Theory (OST) framework.

Keywords: Aerobic Exercise; Anerobic Exercise; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Exercise

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