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Sports & ADHD - A Winning Combination

16th February 2022

We all know sports are a key part of children's lives, but not all sports go well with ADHD behaviors. Certain sports help control signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD). Sports raises the baseline levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. But should you register your child for an after-school sport? That depends on the child’s sole set of ADHD symptoms!

According to the Mayo Clinic, "regular exercise may have a positive effect on behavior in children with ADHD when added to treatment."

Best ADHD Sports

Research shows the following sports go well with ADHD behaviors ---
 

1. Swimming
   
   Swimming provides structure and guidance. As children with ADHD shine with structure and direction, swimming is a great option for them. In swimming, kids get some valuable one-on-one time with coaches. By cultivating personal swim times, your child will be able to focus on personal growth.
    
2. Tennis
   
   For kids with ADHD, tennis is an ideal sport. Even though it does need synchronized teamwork and communication while playing doubles, nevertheless its energetic, fast pace holds children's continuous attentiveness. This also helps in releasing anger or frustration.
    
3. Martial Arts
   
   One amazing benefit of martial arts is its use of rituals. For example, bowing to the instructor. These kinds of small-small things help teach children with ADHD to receive, grow, and use the routine in other parts of their lives. Self-control, discipline, and respect are a few other important skills that the ADHD child nurtures in martial-arts.
    
4. Gymnastics
   
   The equipment and movements which are being used in gymnastics are very alike to those used in occupational therapy. These can aid manage the ADHD kid’s sensory processing ailment by evolving her core strength, sense of poise as well as muscle consciousness. It helps children with ADHD and LD progress their attention.
    
5. Soccer
   
   If the child is developmentally or expressively tardy, sign her/him up for a team with a little younger child who is at a similar maturity level. A soccer team gives children a sense of companionship, which can be particularly cooperative for kids with ADHD working on their social skills.
    
6. Horseback Riding
   
   While interacting with the horse, the child will learn to perceive and react to the animal's behaviors instead of responding with the same behavioral forms. Horses usually have the aptitude to mirror the emotions of their handlers, it is a skill that is applied in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).
    
7. Wrestling
   
   Wrestling is a great option for releasing misguided aggression or apparently boundless energy. This is a mode to channel these emotions into something constructive.

Apart from all the above-mentioned sports, you can also try Archery and Baseball!

Final Thoughts

Why should children with ADHD play planned sports? Because sports provide opportunities for positive social interactions, prospects to develop further talents and interests. Try to talk with your child to understand your child’s interests and needs. Special Education Courses For Parents will help you a lot. These sports are being proven to teach accountability while improving focus, awareness, and self-confidence and all of these are important skills for kids with ADHD as well as learning disabilities.
 

Written By: Aditi Ghose