Differences in Hyperactivity and Inattention between Adolescents Participating and Non-Participating in A National Polish After-School Athletics Program

Abstract

Among the hyperactivity and inattention components, being predictors of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) phenotype, there are restlessness, fidgeting, distractibility, lack of reflectiveness and lack of attention components. So far, it was observed that they may be associated with an excessive body mass in children. The aim of the study was to analyze differences of the hyperactivity and inattention between adolescents participating and non-participating in a national Polish after-school athletics program (12–13 years) in a case-control sample. The #goathletics study was conducted among a group of 1014 adolescents—507 representatives for the nationwide physical activity program “Athletics for All” and 507 pair-matched non-participating ones. Assessment of the hyperactivity and inattention was based on a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire—Hyperactivity-Inattention subscale (SDQ-HI). It was observed, that in spite of the fact, that the general frequency of hyperactivity and inattention did not differ between groups, the frequency of specific components differed. Especially in the case of girls, for adolescents participating in a national Polish after-school athletics program, the positive attention component was more often observed (39.7%) than for adolescents non-participating (30.0%). It may be concluded, that hyperactivity and inattention components may be less common in the case of active adolescents, than in the case of others.

Patterns of Physical Activity of Adolescents With ADHD in the School Context: A Cross-Sectional Study for Clinical Practice

“…About this, we observed that less than half of boys and girls with ADHD achieved the PA recommendations for health. This finding is consistent with the literature since children with ADHD between 6 and 17 years of age tend to participate less in PA and organized sports than their peers (Aranas & Leighton, 2022; Głąbska et al, 2019; Rommel et al, 2015). Regarding the amount of PA those students performed in the PE class, it should be noted that 11.4% of boys with ADHD never engaged in the PE classes.…”

“…On the other hand, children who practice more PA show better performance in executive functions, including working memory, inhibition, and speed of information processing, and it also, improves academic performance, behavior, self-esteem, and relationships with peers (Chan et al, 2022; Christiansen et al, 2019; Cook et al, 2015; de Greeff et al, 2018; Głąbska et al, 2019).…”

Influence of Food Habits and Participation in a National Extracurricular Athletics Program on Body Weight within a Pair-Matched Sample of Polish Adolescents after One Year of Intervention—#goathletics Study

“…The #goathletics Study was conducted with the cooperation of (1) the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS) (responsible for the assessment of body weight and food habits), (2) Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education (responsible for assessment of physical fitness), (3) the Polish Athletic Association (responsible for Athletics for All training groups), and (4) the Nutrition, Health and Wellness Unit, Nestlé Polska S.A. (responsible for Athletics for All program as one of the founders). Within the #goathletics Study, a Polish national extracurricular athletics program (Athletics for All) is assessed [17][18][19].…”