Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder in children and adolescents that may damage the motor skills and balance of them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks high intensity interval training on dopamine levels and improvement of perceptual motor skills in adolescent girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 adolescent girls with ADHD were randomly allocated to high intensity interval training and control groups. The training group, trained for 6 weeks. The training protocol included 20 meters running 3times a week, with the repetitions of 4 times at the first and second week, the repetitions of5times at the third and fourth week and the repetitions of6times in the fifth and sixth week. At the beginning and end of the sixth week, anthropometric indices, dopamine levels and scores of perceptual motor skills were assessed. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t tests. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: After 6 weeks, the average of serum dopamine levels (p=0.005), weight (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.001), body fat percent (p=0.002) and the mean scores of perceptual motor skills (p=0.001) in experimental group were significantly different with control group.

Conclusion: The present study revealed that high intensity interval training as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive method has a positive impact on serum dopamine levels and perceptual-motor skills in adolescents with ADHD.