Boys with challenging behaviours : the effects of physical exercise on inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity

Research indicates that challenging behaviours such as poor attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, commonly associated with ADHD, have a significant effect on school age children and are more likely to be found in boys. In this field case study, four 12-year-old boys were trained in a controlled, intense exercise programme that focused on planning and persistence. It was predicted that this programme might improve attention and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity. The training was conducted before school, 3 days a week over a 7-week period, in a nonschool setting. Observations of classroom behaviour were made during morning sessions following the intervention. Pre- and post-testing on the teacher rating scale of the Child Behaviour Check List (Achenbach, 1992) produced improved scores in the combined inattentive-hyperactive category. It was concluded that structured physical activity containing behavioural and cognitive training elements are likely to modify some challenging behaviours in boys. Although the small number of participants involved in this study and the short period of time over which the study was conducted are limiting factors, these data suggested that a more detailed examination of this type of intervention is warranted.