Effects of Exercise on Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Inhibitory Control at Behavioral and Electrophysiological Levels in ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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| Title: | Effects of Exercise on Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Inhibitory Control at Behavioral and Electrophysiological Levels in ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Zeping Zhang (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Attention Disorders. 2026 30(5):677-693. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Descriptors: | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Exercise, Hyperactivity, Conceptual Tempo, Inhibition, Self Control, Age Differences, Children, Adolescents, Intervention, Incidence, Research Methodology, Program Effectiveness, Behavior Problems, Adults |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251404197 |
| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| Abstract: | Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of exercise on hyperactivity/impulsivity, inhibitory control, and inhibition-related event-related potential (ERP) components in individuals with ADHD. Method: A systematic search identified relevant studies, and methodological quality was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I), with data analysis conducted using Stata software. Results: A total of 36 studies (38 comparisons) were included, comprising 10 acute and 26 chronic exercise interventions. Exercise yielded a small-to-moderate improvement in inhibitory control but showed no significant effects on hyperactivity/impulsivity or inhibition-related N2 and P3 components. Subgroup analyses of inhibitory control revealed significant moderating effects of age (children/adolescents), intervention type (chronic interventions), frequency (three sessions per week), control condition (sedentary or no-intervention groups), and study quality (studies with moderate or high risk of bias). Conclusion: Exercise enhances inhibitory control in individuals with ADHD, with the effect being especially pronounced in children and adolescents. Chronic interventions and a frequency of three sessions per week appear to be most beneficial. However, it shows no significant effect on hyperactivity/impulsivity or inhibition-related N2 and P3 components. The impact of exercising should not be overestimated. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501666 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of exercise on hyperactivity/impulsivity, inhibitory control, and inhibition-related event-related potential (ERP) components in individuals with ADHD. Method: A systematic search identified relevant studies, and methodological quality was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I), with data analysis conducted using Stata software. Results: A total of 36 studies (38 comparisons) were included, comprising 10 acute and 26 chronic exercise interventions. Exercise yielded a small-to-moderate improvement in inhibitory control but showed no significant effects on hyperactivity/impulsivity or inhibition-related N2 and P3 components. Subgroup analyses of inhibitory control revealed significant moderating effects of age (children/adolescents), intervention type (chronic interventions), frequency (three sessions per week), control condition (sedentary or no-intervention groups), and study quality (studies with moderate or high risk of bias). Conclusion: Exercise enhances inhibitory control in individuals with ADHD, with the effect being especially pronounced in children and adolescents. Chronic interventions and a frequency of three sessions per week appear to be most beneficial. However, it shows no significant effect on hyperactivity/impulsivity or inhibition-related N2 and P3 components. The impact of exercising should not be overestimated. |
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| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251404197 |
