EXERCISE AN AID FOR ADHD PATIENTS

Exercise may help adults with ADHD cope with the disorder better, a new study finds.

The study, published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports, studied 32 men between the ages of 18 and 33 who displayed clear symptoms of ADHD. The men were asked to complete mental tasks requiring focus before and after 20 minutes of moderate cycling exercises one day, and another day before and after 20 minutes of rest.

Though symptoms of ADHD, such as leg movement, mood, attention and motivation did not change after exercise, the study participants reported feeling better about their performance in the mental task, as opposed to when they just rested before completing the task. Participants also reported less confusion and tiredness after exercising.

Researchers noted that these findings are promising in coping with the disorder, since unlike ADHD medications, exercise does not have side effects.

-- Sophia F. Gottfried