ADHD

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, notoriously fidget in the classroom. That disruptive behavior likely isn't just a symptom, but may actually boost cognitive performance.

Physical activity, like bouncing on a ball chair or even chewing gum, seems to allow these children to focus on difficult tasks,

In the study, researchers did a trial-by-trial analysis of 26 teens and pre-teens diagnosed with ADHD and a control group of 18 with typical development, looking at how the intensity and frequency of movement affected their ability to do tests that demanded focus.

The children’s movement was measured by a device attached to their ankles as they did a “flanker test.” The test required them to pay attention to the direction of a series of arrows and to disregard distractions.

The ADHD students with the highest number of correct answers, showed the greatest degree of movement. There was no correlation between movement and cognition in children without the disorder.

Researchers say that children with ADHD are unable to modulate their arousal systems efficiently, and movement helps them compensate for that deficit.

“Sometimes they are over-aroused by irrelevant information and at other times, they are under-aroused,” said Schweitzer.

About 11 percent of all children between the ages of 4 and 17 have ADHD, making it difficult for them to pay attention and control impulsive behavior, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.