Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract This study primarily evaluated the effects of vigorous-intensity exercises on working memory and inhibitory control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Search for eligible studies through four databases, and then proceed with screening. The inclusion criteria a...

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Main Authors: Ruiyun Zhang, Haixia Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Italian Journal of Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01924-w
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author Ruiyun Zhang
Haixia Li
author_facet Ruiyun Zhang
Haixia Li
author_sort Ruiyun Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study primarily evaluated the effects of vigorous-intensity exercises on working memory and inhibitory control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Search for eligible studies through four databases, and then proceed with screening. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) Children with ADHD; (2) Randomised controlled trial; (3) The intervention group received exercise, while the control group did not perform any exercises as the treatment; (4) Conducted pre- and post-exercise assessments, which include working memory and inhibitory control parameters. Use the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of the selected study. Select standardized mean difference as the appropriate effect scale index, and use Revman 5.4 software to analyze the mean difference. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42024597510). A total of ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for the meta-analysis. The included studies involved 367 males and 159 females, where 273 belonged to the exercise group and 253 from the control group. Participants in the exercise group enhanced working memory [0.37 (0.12, 0.63) p < 0.05, I2 = 0%] than the control group. In addition, the results indicated that submaximal intensity exercise improved inhibition regulation levels significantly [− 0.34 (− 0.65, − 0.03), p < 0.05, I2 = 0%]. Based on the systematic meta-analysis results, vigorous-intensity exercises have effective working memory, cognitive function, and motor ability-increasing effects on children with ADHD. Furthermore, Submaximal intensity exercise can effectively improve control inhibition in children with ADHD.
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spelling doaj-art-7c810d9d38e3457ebab77aba3ad9d91c2025-08-20T02:49:27ZengBMCItalian Journal of Pediatrics1824-72882025-03-0151111010.1186/s13052-025-01924-wEffect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysisRuiyun Zhang0Haixia Li1School of Sport Art, Shandong Sport UniversitySchool of Sport Management, Shandong Sport UniversityAbstract This study primarily evaluated the effects of vigorous-intensity exercises on working memory and inhibitory control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Search for eligible studies through four databases, and then proceed with screening. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) Children with ADHD; (2) Randomised controlled trial; (3) The intervention group received exercise, while the control group did not perform any exercises as the treatment; (4) Conducted pre- and post-exercise assessments, which include working memory and inhibitory control parameters. Use the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of the selected study. Select standardized mean difference as the appropriate effect scale index, and use Revman 5.4 software to analyze the mean difference. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42024597510). A total of ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for the meta-analysis. The included studies involved 367 males and 159 females, where 273 belonged to the exercise group and 253 from the control group. Participants in the exercise group enhanced working memory [0.37 (0.12, 0.63) p < 0.05, I2 = 0%] than the control group. In addition, the results indicated that submaximal intensity exercise improved inhibition regulation levels significantly [− 0.34 (− 0.65, − 0.03), p < 0.05, I2 = 0%]. Based on the systematic meta-analysis results, vigorous-intensity exercises have effective working memory, cognitive function, and motor ability-increasing effects on children with ADHD. Furthermore, Submaximal intensity exercise can effectively improve control inhibition in children with ADHD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01924-wVigorous-IntensityExerciseChildrenAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder
spellingShingle Ruiyun Zhang
Haixia Li
Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Vigorous-Intensity
Exercise
Children
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
title Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Effect of vigorous-intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort effect of vigorous intensity exercise on the working memory and inhibitory control among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Vigorous-Intensity
Exercise
Children
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01924-w
work_keys_str_mv AT ruiyunzhang effectofvigorousintensityexerciseontheworkingmemoryandinhibitorycontrolamongchildrenwithattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT haixiali effectofvigorousintensityexerciseontheworkingmemoryandinhibitorycontrolamongchildrenwithattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis