Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Response Inhibition Predict Balance in Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Some evidence indicates that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have balance impairments. This study examined the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), response inhibition (RI), and static balance in this population while off and on psychostimulant medication (PS). Methods: Participants (n = 40; 30 females; M age = 29.0; SD = 6.3 years) wore an ActiGraph GT9X–link around their waist to estimate MVPA levels (minutes/day). To assess RI, participants completed the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D–KEFS) subtests Trail-Making Test (TMT) and Color–Word Interference Test (CWIT). To evaluate static balance, participants completed postural sway area (cm2) assessments in four conditions: feet-apart eyes-open (FAEO), feet-apart eyes-closed (FAEC), feet-together eyes-open (FTEO), and feet-together eyes-closed (FTEC). Participants also completed the single-leg standing tests (seconds) with eyes open (SLEO) and with eyes closed (SLEC). Results: When off medication, MVPA significantly predicted SLEC (β = 0.30; p = 0.017). MVPA and TMT significantly predicted FTEO, explaining ~19% of the variance in FTEO; both MVPA and TMT were significant predictors (β = –0.33, p = 0.027 and β = –0.31, p = 0.039, respectively). When on medication, TMT significantly predicted FAEC (β = 0.17; p = 0.047). Conclusions: MVPA and RI may be effective parameters in predicting static balance in adults with ADHD when off medication only.

Keywords

• ADHD
• physical activity
• postural sway
• executive function
• response inhibition