Physical activity can be an untapped resource in managing ADHD, a disorder where traditional treatments often focus on medication like methylphenidate. This stimulant raises dopamine and norepinephrine levels, but concerns about side effects persist.

This study explores how exercise might help ADHD symptoms, aiming to understand its influence on children's attention, motor skills, and executive functions compared to medication-only interventions.

Researchers analyzed data from randomized controlled trials—a type of study where participants are randomly assigned treatments. This study looked at findings in several research databases up until March 2021.

The studies involved were chosen based on strict criteria. Advanced software like RevMan and Stata helped in assessing data quality and examining any biases in the publication of findings.

The analysis included 15 trials with 734 children. Results suggested that physical exercise led to improvements in focusing ability, decision-making skills, and motor coordination in children with ADHD.

However, exercise didn't significantly change hyperactivity, depression, social issues, or aggressive behavior. The impact of exercise might differ due to how often and how long the activities were done.

Engaging in physical activities can benefit children with ADHD by enhancing their attention and coordination skills. This suggests exercise could be a useful part of managing ADHD.

While exercise appears promising, it notably didn't change behaviors like hyperactivity or aggression, indicating that different types or schedules of interventions might be needed.