None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the acute effects of high intensity resistance exercise compared to balance & stretching on cognitive function (attention and inhibition) and affect in adults with ADHD. Selection criteria include those with an official diagnosis of ADHD, who are not physically active, have not recently engaged in resistance exercise (past 12 months) and currently have elevated ADHD symptoms on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM 5 (14+). It is hypothesised that resistance exercise will acutely improve attention (as measured by omission errors, hit reaction time and the sustained attention composite score) and inhibition (as measured by commission errors and the Impulsivity composite score) more than balance and stretching on the Conners Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition. Participants will complete both exercise conditions in a randomised and counterbalanced order, one week apart at the same time of day, off medication.
Interventions
The trial will be conducted in the Susan Wakil Health Building at the University of Sydney.
First, participants will undergo baseline testing involving two four hour testing sessions across two days, one week apart, during which their one-repetition maximum (1RM) will be assessed for six resistance exercises on Keiser machines (leg press, knee extension, knee flexion, chest press, seated row, triceps pushdown). 1RM assessments will be done one-on-one with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
The trial will be conducted in the Susan Wakil Health Building at the University of Sydney. First, participants will undergo baseline testing involving two four hour testing sessions across two days, one week apart, during which their one-repetition maximum (1RM) will be assessed for six resistance exercises on Keiser machines (leg press, knee extension, knee flexion, chest press, seated row, triceps pushdown). 1RM assessments will be done one-on-one with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. On a separate day, participants will complete a single bout of High Intensity (80% 1RM) Resistance Exercise (Leg Press, Knee Extension, Knee Flexion, Chest Press, Seated Row, triceps pushdown) one-on-one supervised by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to ensure safety and adherence. Participants will perform three sets of eight repetitions at a load equivalent to 80% of their pre-determined 1RM. There will be one minute of rest between each set. The tempo of the exercise will be 1s concentric, 1s pause, 2s eccentric, 1s pause. Total session duration will be approximately 45 minutes. Adherence will be recorded through supervision by research staff and logging of each completed exercise. All sessions will be conducted in the morning (before 12PM). Participants will be require to withhold any medication used to treat ADHD for a minimum of 12 hours. Participants will complete sessions (intervention or control) one week apart to ensure an appropriate wash out period.
Sponsors
The University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• ASRS 5 score of 14 or higher • Not meeting physical activity guidelines (less than 150min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity, or equivalent). • Not currently participating in any resistance exercise (last 12 months).
Exclusion criteria
• Not diagnosed with ADHD by an appropriately trained health professional. • Active psychosis, substance use disorder (past 12 months). • Current suicidal ideation or attempt to end their own life in the past 12 months. • medical conditions that would preclude the required activity. • musculoskeletal injuries, clinical conditions or limitations that would preclude the required activity • cardiac, peripheral vascular, or cerebrovascular disease that would preclude the required activity • Amputation of upper or lower limb. • Intellectual Disability. • Autism Spectrum Disorder. • Down Syndrome or other congenital intellectual impairments. • Traumatic Brain Injury. • Currently pregnant or suspects they are pregnant
Outcome results
None listed