A Preliminary Examination of Aerobic Exercise Effects on Resting EEG in Children With ADHD. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Chung-Ju; Huang, Chin-Wen; Tsai, Yu-Jung; Tsai, Chia-Liang; Chang, Yu-Kai; Hung, Tsung-Min
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 21:Number 11(2017)
• Page Start: 898
• Page End: 903
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: cognitive benefits -- inhibition -- physical exercise -- fitness -- EEG ratios; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054714554611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: This study attempted to determine whether the effects of physical exercise were reflected in the resting electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern of ADHD children.Method: Thirty-two ADHD children were assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group participated in a water aerobics program for 8 weeks, whereas no intervention was administered to the control group. Resting EEGs were recorded under open-eyes condition before and after the intervention. Data from eligible participants, 15 from the exercise group (11 boys and 4 girls, 7.93 ± 1.02 years) and 14 from the control group (14 boys, 8.27 ± 1.04 years), were further analyzed.Results: While controlling for the baseline resting EEG, separate ANCOVAs indicated that the exercise group showed smaller theta/alpha ratios over the frontal and central brain sites after the intervention compared with the control group.Conclusion: This finding suggests that aerobic exercise may enhance the cognitive functions of children with ADHD, as reflected in resting EEG.