“The Exercise Rx for ADHD: How Movement Improves Attention, Working Memory, and Executive Functions” [Video Replay & Podcast #246]

Episode Description

Powerful evidence shows that exercise helps children and adults manage their symptoms of ADHD. Movement turns on the brain’s attention networks and eases other symptoms of ADHD, such as hyperactivity. In short, physical activity benefits the ADHD brain by elevating levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals linked to attention.

A steady diet of movement and vigorous play also has a positive effect on behavior and motivation, resulting in better school performance and better self-esteem. What’s more, studies suggest that exercise can reduce addictive behaviors — from excessive screen time to vaping and marijuana use. Overall, physical activity is a go-to treatment that parents and adults can use to better their lives with ADHD.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• Why exercise and play have such a powerful effect on the brain in general and attention in particular
• The latest research on how physical activity helps improve ADHD symptoms
• How exercise acts like a stimulant medication to increase neurotransmitter levels
• Case studies of how exercise improves learning and motivation
• Exercise routines that are especially effective for patients diagnosed with ADHD

Watch the Video Replay

Enter your email address in the box above labeled “Video Replay + Slide Access” to watch the video replay (closed captions available) and download the slide presentation.

Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

Click the play button below to listen to this episode directly in your browser, click the symbol to download to listen later, or open in your podcasts app: Apple Podcasts; Google Podcasts; Stitcher; Spotify; Overcast

This ADHD Experts webinar was first broadcast live on February 28, 2019.

Listener testimonials:

• “Excellent webinar! I plan to use some of the ideas — and to look at some of the your webinars ASAP! Thank you!”
• “I always get valuable information from your webinars that can be used effectively in the classroom. It really helps when dealing with my ASD/ADHD students.”
• “Great job! I’m so glad I was able to connect with this webinar and the information. Dr Ratey is always so good with explaining situations and providing a clear perspective.”

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Meet the Expert Speaker:

John J. Ratey, M.D., is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an in internationally recognized expert in neuropsychiatry. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and 11 books, including the groundbreaking Driven to Distraction series with Ned Hallowell, M.D. With the publication of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection.

John Ratey, M.D., is a member of the ADDitude ADHD Medical Review Panel.

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Webinar Sponsor

The sponsor of this week’s ADDitude webinar is….

Play Attention: Exercise for the mind! Play Attention is the most comprehensive neurocognitive training program available designed to strengthen Executive Function and Self-Regulation. But technology by itself is not enough. The mind also grows with exercise, coaching/counseling, good nutrition, mindfulness, behavior shaping, and parent training. These are all components of the Play Attention system. Call 828-676-2240 and learn how we can customize Play Attention for you. | www.playattention.com | Request a Free Professional Consultation

Mention code #AdditudeMag0219 and receive $200 off your purchase + our Mindfulness App for FREE

ADDitude thanks our sponsors for supporting our webinars. Sponsorship has no influence on speaker selection or webinar content.

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