Exercise prescription to improve executive functioning in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a network meta-analysis
Preliminary evidence suggests that moderate-intensity, skill-based exercise may improve inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility within 6-10 weeks. Aerobic exercise may enhance working memory within 4-5 weeks. However, factors such as ADHD subtypes, age, and dose-response relationships remain unclear. Clinical implementation should be individualised and await high-quality validation.
Authors
- Qinhan Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6779-4544)
- Ke Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7910-2453)
- Yuanye Hu
- Zixuan Yang
Institutions
- Pai Chai University (KR)
- Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychiatry
- Published
- 2026-02-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1716578
- Primary Topic
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00