Optimizing exercise interventions for motor skills enhancement in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Evidence from meta-analysis.
Yuxuan Zhang, Xiaoman Che, Zhenghao Dong et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis assessed physical exercise and motor skills in children and adolescents with ADHD, using 21 studies involving 850 participants. Three-level random-effects models found moderate positive effects for gross motor skills (Hedge's g = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48-0.76) and fine motor skills (Hedge's g = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.90). Improvements were reported across several motor subcomponents. Moderator analyses associated longer sessions and more frequent exercise with greater benefits, while estimated cumulative exposure for substantial gains differed between gross and fine motor skills.
Key findings
- Exercise was associated with improved gross motor skills (Hedge's g = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48-0.76).
- Exercise was associated with improved fine motor skills (Hedge's g = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.90).
- Sessions longer than 45 min and frequencies of at least 3 sessions/week were associated with greater benefits.
- Estimated cumulative exposure for substantial gains was ∼810 min for gross motor skills and ∼1350 min for fine motor skills.
Why it matters
Motor difficulties can affect everyday functioning in children and adolescents with ADHD. This synthesis suggests that exercise may benefit both gross and fine motor skills, with effects across multiple subcomponents. The reported dose patterns may help inform the design of exercise programs, although they are moderator findings from a meta-analysis rather than definitive prescriptions for individual patients.