Objectives: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of single exercise on core symptoms and executive function in adolescents with ADHD.
Methods: Four databases were searched for studies of the effects of single exercise on core symptoms and executive functioning in adolescents with ADHD.
Results: Thirteen studies were included, and a single session of exercise had small effect-size improvements in core symptoms and executive function in adolescents with ADHD: 10 to 13 year olds in the early adolescent-elementary school years and 18 to 24 year olds in the late adolescent-college years. Moderate-intensity continuous training, high-intensity interval training, single sessions of less than 30 minutes, and single sessions of 30 minutes and more significantly improved cycling training, attention, inhibition, substance use, and pre-study abstinence.
Conclusions: A single session of exercise had an overall ameliorative effect on core symptoms and executive function in adolescents with ADHD.
Keywords: ADHD; acute exercise; adolescents; core symptoms; executive functioning; single exercise.