Evaluating physical fitness and motor skills in elementary school children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder: a pilot study

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), is a neuro developmental disorder, which is defined by developmentally inappropriate symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and behavioral over activity. Objective: To assess motor skills and physical fitness in elementary school children with ADHD and compare them with typically developing children. Methods: Nineteen (19) typically developing children and seventeen (17) ADHD children between 8 and 12 years were recruited as participants. Motor skills and physical fitness was measured using a battery of test: (1)muscle strength, muscle endurance, Sit and reach test,6 Minute walk test, step test, Single leg triple hop test, Ball throw test, Nine hole peg test. Results: Independent t-tests were carried out between ADHD group and typically developing children on all the dependent variables. The analysis revealed statistical significance for all the dependent variables tested at p<0.05. Conclusion: This pilot study concludes that the ADHD children has reduced motor skill abilities and physical fitness compared to typically developing children.