Active bodies, active minds: Adapting PE to help children managing symptoms of ADHD

Background: Schools aspire to help every child reach their maximum potential, through development of their cognitive, physical and social skills. Primary school class teachers typically support between one and three children managing extra challenges, for example symptoms of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This research team showed that regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (PAs) designed to increase children’s enjoyment and engagement with the activities in physical education (PE) lessons, were associated with increased engagement in other lessons and school activities, with significant improvement for the children with ADHD. The Active bodies, Active minds (AbAm) scheme was designed to be quick and easy for teachers to use, with or without specialist PE training. To enable wider implementation, the AbAm scheme should be adapted for use within PE curricula.

Purpose: Feasibility study for implementing the AbAm scheme within regular PE curriculum lessons.

Methods: The PE lesson plans were co-created by the researcher and class teacher by selecting the PAs from the PE curriculum that met the AbAm scheme criteria. The class teacher led the sessions and the researcher collected weekly data from the 8-9yr old children (study group with ADHD and control group of classmates). Measures included Children’s perceived exertion and enjoyment of each PA, and teacher-reported attention and behaviour in non-PE lessons.

Results: There was a significant improvement in attention and behaviour in the study group in non-PE lessons including maths, science and English. Children in the study and control group reported equal enjoyment of the PAs and engagement at moderate to vigorous intensity.

Conclusions: Regular moderate-to-vigorous PA through applying the AbAm scheme to the PE curriculum may help children with ADHD engage with their school activities, while providing and engaging PAs for all the class.

Practical implications: The results suggest the AbAm scheme might be implemented in other primary schools.