How exercise can help children with ADHD

By: Debjani Arora | | Published: September 10, 2014 7:30 pm

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ADHD or attention deficit hyperactive disorder is common in children and adolescents which is usually present with symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsiveness and poor concentration. Roughly 8-10% of all children of school-going age suffer from mild, moderate or severe ADHD. For kids suffering from this disorder, daily aerobic exercises before school can help reduce symptoms of inattentiveness, moodiness and difficulty in getting along with others in the classroom as well as at home. ‘Early studies suggest that physical activity can have a positive effect on children who suffer from ADHD,’ said Alan Smith, chairperson of the department of kinesiology at Michigan State University. Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

Over a 12-week period, Smith and Betsy Hoza, a psychologist from the University of Vermont, studied about 200 early elementary school students ranging from kindergarten to second grade that either exhibited signs of ADHD or did not. During the trial, students were randomly selected to participate in a group that completed moderate to vigorous physical activity each day before school, or a group that completed more sedentary classroom-type activities. ‘Results indicated that all participants showed improvements. Children with ADHD risk receiving exercise benefited across a broader range of outcomes than those receiving sedentary activities,’ Smith noted.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

On the onset the symptoms, ADHD appear to be very normal aspect of a child’s behaviour. Most of these behaviours disappear as the child grows. ‘A parent should be wary if the symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsiveness prolongs for at least six months at a stretch in every situation, like in the playground, home or the school. But if your notice that these symptoms are seen only suppose in the school and your baby is calm and composed at home or during play then it might not be a case of ADHD,’ says Dr Leena Deshpande, a developmental paediatrician from Mumbai. The symptoms can range from mild, moderate to severe. Children suffering from ADHD often:

Are in constant motion.
Squirm and fidget.
Do not seem to listen.
Have difficulty playing quietly.
Often talk excessively.
Interrupt or intrude others.
Are easily distracted.
Do not finish tasks.

Children who only have inattentive symptoms of ADHD are often overlooked, since they’re not disruptive. But, the symptoms of inattention have consequences: like unable to follow directions; underperforming in school; or clashing with other kids over not playing by the rules.

How should parents deal with children suffering from ADHD?

While a child might have to live and deal with the condition there is a lot parents can do to help streamline the child’s behaviour pattern

Practice effective parenting: One common mistake that parents make with children suffering from ADHD is inconsistent parenting. ‘Behaviour as we see it is a combination of nature vs nurture. Some children are inherently overactive while others aren’t. Good parenting skills are required to deal with such children. However, it must be made clear that bad parenting can’t cause ADHD,’ says Dr Deshpande. But if a child with the condition isn’t handled carefully the symptoms might worsen. Parents need to set boundaries and limits for all children.

Limit use of gadgets and electronic instruments: Early and excessive exposure to electronic media like mobile phones, televisions and computers can be detrimental for your child. Many, many studies show that these devices have a negative impact on a child’s communication and socialisation skills. Television and other electronic media provide passive stimulation which stifles creativity. ‘It’s believed that the brain of a young child gets used to this passive stimulation from an electronic device and they find that normal life doesn’t match up in the excitement stakes. This is when they start acting up to create a situation which is more exciting. This is why I tell all parents that TV shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a babysitter or a parent,’ says Dr Deshpande.

Help your child be organized: To make sure your baby follows rules and is organized keep things at fixed places and encourage the habit of doing the same. Keep a fixed routine from waking up to getting back to bed constant to help your baby deal with everyday niggles. This has to include homework, outdoor play and indoor activities. To know more read about ADHD, causes, symptoms and treatment.

The study appeared in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

Photo source: Getty images

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Published : September 10, 2014 7:30 pm

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