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Sportliche Aktivität als mögliche Therapieoption bei ADHS

Aktuelle Studienlage und Vorschläge für spezifischere Sportinterventionen

Exercise as a possible treatment option in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Current study situation and suggestions for specific exercise interventions

  • Schwerpunkt: Sport und Bewegung in der Psychotherapie - Übersichten
  • Published:
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Zusammenfassung

Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) ist eine häufige Erkrankung im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Allerdings werden 50 % der Patienten nichtleitlinienkonform behandelt. Für diese nichtbehandelten Patienten könnte sportliche Aktivität, die bisher in den Leitlinien nur am Rande erwähnt wird, eine mögliche Therapieoption darstellen. Metaanalytische Ergebnisse zeigen Effekte sportlicher Aktivität auf die ADHS-Symptomatik im moderaten Intensitätsbereich. Auch Exekutivfunktionen scheinen sich durch sportliche Aktivität zu verbessern. Erste Studienergebnisse bei Gesunden belegen insbesondere positive Effekte auf Vigilanz und Verhaltenshemmung. Diese Befunde sprechen dafür, dass kognitiv fordernde Sportarten, die die Exekutivfunktionen sportimmanent ansprechen, noch wirksamer in der Verbesserung der Exekutivfunktionen zu sein scheinen. Somit wird angenommen, dass aufgrund der Veränderung eines zentralen pathophysiologischen Korrelats von ADHS spezifische kognitiv fordernde Sportprogramme noch größere Effekte auf die ADHS-Symptomatik aufweisen könnten als rein ausdauerorientierte Sportaktivitäten.

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a frequent disorder in childhood and adolescence; however, approximately 50% of patients receive treatment that does not conform to the guidelines. For these untreated patients physical exercise, which is only mentioned in passing in the current guidelines, could be an alternative treatment option. Meta-analysis results have shown effects of physical exercise on ADHD symptoms in the moderate intensity range. Executive functions also seem to improve with physical activity. Initial studies particularly reported positive effects on vigilance and behavioral inhibition. The results suggest that cognitively demanding sports that immanently address executive functions, seem to be even more effective in improving executive functions. Thus, it is assumed that due to the increased effect on a central pathophysiological correlate of ADHD, specific cognitively demanding sports programs may be even more efficacious in improving ADHD symptoms than purely endurance-oriented sports programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Psychologisches Institut, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Universität Tübingen, Schleichstr. 4, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland

    Britta Seiffer &  Sebastian Wolf

  2. Arbeitsbereich Bildungs- und Gesundheitsforschung, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Universität Tübingen, Wächterstraße 67, 72074 Tübingen, Deutschland

    Britta Seiffer &  Sebastian Wolf

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  1. Britta Seiffer
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Correspondence to Britta Seiffer.

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Interessenkonflikt

B. Seiffer und S. Wolf geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Für diesen Beitrag wurden von den Autoren keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren durchgeführt. Für die aufgeführten Studien gelten die jeweils dort angegebenen ethischen Richtlinien.

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Seiffer, B., Wolf, S. Sportliche Aktivität als mögliche Therapieoption bei ADHS. Psychotherapeut 65, 156–159 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00278-020-00419-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00278-020-00419-9

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