Sports may help children who suffer from ADHD

Experts are finding that sports may help children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the Huffington Post reports.

Children who suffer from ADHD often exhibit behaviors such as impulsivity, inattentiveness and forgetfulness. However, studies show that these individuals may benefit from playing sports.

For instance, a recent study from Texas Tech University showed that ADHD sufferers who play sports reported greater self-efficacy, self-confidence and happiness. Furthermore, teachers said that boys in this program exhibited more persistence in the classroom and a reduction in attention-seeking behavior.

One expert added that once a child learns how to calm down and focus, they can begin to feel more in control, self-assured and self-confident. Some children with ADHD said they feel more comfortable and perform better in individual sports like long-distance running than in team sports such as basketball.

Therapeutic boarding schools can help individuals who suffer from ADHD by offering recreational therapy to help them overcome obstacles that are associated with their condition and achieve behavioral success.

According to a 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 5.4 million children between ages 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.