Effect of high-intensity interval training on clinical and laboratory parameters of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on clinical, as assessed by the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), and anthropometric measures, and laboratory parameters of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Forty-three adolescents with ADHD diagnosis were randomly assigned into two groups: Intervention group (male/female, n = 9/17) and Control group (male/female, n = 11/6). Intervention group performed 20 m running program repetitions with 20–30 s resting between intervals at 85% max heart rate for 6 weeks. Anthropometric and body composition measures (body mass index-Z-score; BMI-Z-score, body fat mass; BFM), Interleukin-13 (IL-13), Interleukin-16 (IL-16), lactate, and CPRS were evaluated at baseline and after 6 weeks. Data were analyzed by means of Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, two-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD post-hoc test. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: After 6 weeks, BMI-Z-score and BFM reduced significantly in the intervention group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.019, respectively) and were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). After 6 weeks, lactate increased significantly in the intervention group (P = 0.017) and was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.01). IL-13 and CPRS reduced significantly after 6 weeks HIIT (P = 0.017 and P = 0.04, respectively). IL-16 did not show any significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: HIIT seems to exert beneficial effects for adolescents with ADHD.