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Fundamental Movement Skills and Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Peer Comparisons and Stimulant Effects

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the fundamental movement skills of 22 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), from 6 to 12 years of age, to gender- and age-matched peers without ADHD and assess the effects of stimulant medication on the movement skill performance of the children with ADHD. Repeated measures analyses revealed significant skill differences between children with and without ADHD (p ≤ 0.001). Results from the stimulant medication trials indicated no significant effect of medication on the movement skill patterns of children with ADHD. It is concluded that children with ADHD may be at risk for developmental delays in movement skill performance. Potential factors underlying the movement skill difficulties are discussed, with suggestions for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, Canada, H2W 1S4

    William J. Harvey & Greg Reid

  2. Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Canada

    Natalie Grizenko, Valentin Mbekou, Marina Ter-Stepanian & Ridha Joober

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  1. William J. Harvey
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  2. Greg Reid
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  3. Natalie Grizenko
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  6. Ridha Joober
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Correspondence to William J. Harvey.

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Harvey, W.J., Reid, G., Grizenko, N. et al. Fundamental Movement Skills and Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Peer Comparisons and Stimulant Effects. J Abnorm Child Psychol 35, 871–882 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9140-5

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