Effect of a C-HIIT program in the inhibitory control and behaviour of young ADHD

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 10-week program of cooperative high-intensity interval training (C-HIIT) on inhibitory control and classroom behavior in schoolchildren diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The sample consisted of 52 schoolchildren diagnosed with ADHD, 24 Non C-HIIT (control group, did not receive intervention) and 28 C-HIIT (experimental group, which performed C-HIIT 16 min/session, two sessions/week, for 10 weeks) monitoring the intensity with Seego Realtracksystems®. Inhibitory control (inhibition and intereference) was measured using the Spanish version of the Stroop Color and Word Test, and classroom behavior (hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive, conduct disorder and ADHD) using the EDAH scale for teachers. A two-group (Non C-HIIT vs C-HIIT) × two time (pre-test vs post-test) ANOVA was used to analyze the results. After the intervention program, the C-HIIT group significantly improved inhibitory control (interference; p = .002; 11%, inhibition; p = .041; eight percent) and some classroom behavioral variables (hyperactive-impulsive behavior; p < .001; 25%, conduct disorder, p < .001; 16% and ADHD behavior, p = .016; 13%) vs. the Non C- HIIT group. It is concluded that participating in a program of at least 10 weeks (two weekly sessions of 16 min of C-HIIT) improves inhibitory control and behavior at school. It is suggested to promote educational programs that include C-HIIT with an application of a scoring system (ClassDojo®) to motivate students to actively participate.