A racket-sport intervention improves behavioral and cognitive performance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

• We examine table tennis training in children with ADHD.
• We measure motor skill proficiency, social behavior, and executive function using the BOT-2, CBCL, and Stroop test, respectively.
• Table tennis training led to positive changes on motor, behavioral, and executive functions.

The present study assessed the effects of a 12-week table tennis exercise on motor skills, social behaviors, and executive functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the first 12-week phase, 16 children (group I) received the intervention, whereas 16 children (group II) did not. A second 12-week phase immediately followed with the treatments reversed. Improvements were observed in executive functions in both groups after the intervention. After the first 12-week phase, some motor and behavioral functions improved in group I. After the second 12-week phase, similar improvements were noted for group II, and the intervention effects achieved in the first phase were persisted in group I. The racket-sport intervention is valuable in promoting motor skills, social behaviors, and executive functions and should be included within the standard-of-care treatment for children with ADHD.