Effects of Exercise Intensity on ADHD Symptoms

This project investigates the effects of a bicycling exercise at three levels of exercise intensity (low, moderate, and high) on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college students. Specifically, the outcomes of interest in this study are self-reported executive functioning, self-reported functional impairment, and ADHD symptom severity. The hypothesis is that exercise will improve executive functioning, while reducing functional impairment and ADHD symptom severity, and that this response will be most pronounced in the high-intensity exercise group.

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Key information

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–26 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kent State University

Kent, Ohio, 44242, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Age 18-16 Student at Kent State University

Exclusion criteria

seizures/epilepsy syncope asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) restrictive lung disease adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) heart problems/defects/heart failure/valve problems liver/kidney disease diabetes mellitus current pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Cycling exercise

Behavioral

Each arm will perform a 20-minute cycling intervention on an airdyne bike at different exercise intensity levels. Participants will perform the intervention three times over the course of one week.

Primary outcomes

Self-Reported Executive Function

Time frame: The BDEFS will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.

Self-reported executive function will be measured using a modified version of the Barkley Executive Function Scale (BDEFS)
Self-Reported Functional Impairment

Time frame: The BFIS will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.

Self-Reported Functional Impairment will be measured using a modified version of the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale (BFIS)
Self-Reported ADHD Symptom Severity

Time frame: The BAARS-IV will be assessed on the first day of participation in an exercise intervention (session 1) and again on the last day of the intervention (session 3). Session 1 occurs on a Monday, session 2 on a Wednesday, and Session 3 on a Friday.

Self-Reported ADHD Symptom Severity will be measured using the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale IV (BAARS-IV)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kent State University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Low, Moderate, and High Intensity Exercise on Executive Function, Functional Impairment, and Symptom Severity in ADHD

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2024
First posted: Dec 31, 2024
Registry last updated: Dec 31, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed