Effects of Exercise Intensity on ADHD Symptoms

Kent State University28 enrolled

Overview

This project investigates the effects of a bicycling exercise at three levels of exercise intensity (low, moderate, and high) on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college students. Specifically, the outcomes of interest in this study are self-reported executive functioning, self-reported functional impairment, and ADHD symptom severity. The hypothesis is that exercise will improve executive functioning, while reducing functional impairment and ADHD symptom severity, and that this response will be most pronounced in the high-intensity exercise group.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 26 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Age 18-16 Student at Kent State University Exclusion Criteria: seizures/epilepsy syncope asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) restrictive lung disease adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) heart problems/defects/heart failure/valve problems liver/kidney disease diabetes mellitus current pregnancy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Self-Reported Executive Function

Self-reported executive function will be measured using a modified version of the Barkley Executive Function Scale (BDEFS)

Time frame: The BDEFS will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.

Self-Reported Functional Impairment

Self-Reported Functional Impairment will be measured using a modified version of the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale (BFIS)

Time frame: The BFIS will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.

Self-Reported ADHD Symptom Severity

Self-Reported ADHD Symptom Severity will be measured using the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale IV (BAARS-IV)

Time frame: The BAARS-IV will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.