Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, especially those children diagnosed with the ADHD hyperactive-impulsive type or a combination of the ADHD inattentive type and ADHD hyperactive-impulsive type, are usually full of energy. They can go about doing strenuous activities for hours without seemingly getting tired. Thus, you may wonder how exercise can help them if they are already always on the move. In fact, you may think that they no longer need exercise because with their constant movement, they are already burning a lot of calories and energy.
Contrary to some beliefs of parents that exercise may exacerbate ADHD in a child, it can actually help in calming the ADHD child and reduce his hyperactivity. Exercise can help boost a childs ability to focus and enhances mental alertness.
According to studies done on exercise for ADHD children, exercise can help release endorphins, the opiate-classified messengers in our nervous system which elevates mood, minimizes pain, and increases the feeling of pleasure. The more exercise an ADHD child does, the more endorphin he releases and the more calming effect he gets.
Apart from this, exercise also helps increase the level of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin which are neurotransmitters in the brain. The increased level of neurotransmitter can result to emotional stability, reduced aggressiveness and hyperactivity, and enhanced concentration.
The effects of exercise on ADHD children can even be more beneficial when used together with good nutrition and a healthy diet. This kind of treatment is not only good for ADHD children alone but also to ADHD teenagers and ADHD adults alike. In fact, even people without ADHD can benefit from this kind of routine.
Some aerobic exercises that may be beneficial to ADHD individuals are the following:
Jogging
Jumping roping
Shoveling snow
Raking leaves
Hiking
Circuit training
Skateboarding
Washing and waxing car
Roller skating or in-line skating
Brisk walking
Bicycling
Weight lifting
These exercises can be done at least 20 minutes everyday. Lead and encourage your child to do any of these exercises to help him develop a better self-control and focus. To get his interest on these activities, you may take the initiative to do these things yourself so your child will see that you yourself are doing those things. He may follow suit with your example.
Do not be afraid to engage your ADHD child in daily exercises. Regular exercise will not only be good for his body; it will be good for his mind as well. Exercise can also be an outlet for their oozing energy and a way for them to release those pent up feelings inside them that are caused by ADHD.
Jennifer Kaplan has written several articles on ADHD and ADHD alternative treatments. On some of her articles, she has discussed the benefits that ADHD patients can get from ADHD alternative treatment.
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