Exercise and AD(H)D

[Gary]

I just read an article in the medical journal to which I subscribe that I thought would be of interest. Below are the main points:

- Attention is mediated by the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.
- In patients with ADD these chemicals are present in reduced amounts.
- Exercise increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine as well as other neurochemicals.
- Muscles aren't the only things that grow with exercise. Over time, exercise improves the system that provides these neurotransmitters. The fitter you are, the better the system works.
- For a minority of patients exercise may be able to replace stimulant medication. For most patients exercise will augment medication.

Quotes from the article:

"Some schools have exercise breaks every hour or two, but other regimens may work, too. Someone with ADD could benefit from an exercise break of 10-15 minutes every hour or so. It helps everyone, not just patients with ADD.... it doesn't have to be for very long each time. Just enough to get the heart rate up for at least a few minutes. Benefits persist for a while after exercise. We know there are improvements with low levels of exercise, such as walking for 20 minutes. Of interest, a number of people at various companies, such as Merrill Lynch and Google, now have standing desks."

"[Doctors] ... should advise patients to exercise daily. Whatever medical treatment has begun, exercise needs to be included, too. It should be daily. Aerobic and strength training is fine. Balance training is important in patients with ADD and can be accomplished with yoga, tai chi, or balance exercises. Exercise needs to become a lifestyle, a habit."

"Many of these kids develop "learned helplessness syndrome." They've failed so much in the past that they now expect to fail. They get depressed, use drugs, or play video games all day. Exercise prevents people from getting into that. Animal studies have shown that exercise makes it tougher to develop learned helplessness."

More details are available on www.johnratey.com.

[NerdyMommy]

It's not all bad... I've built up quite the repertoire of funny quips to use when I get attacked by inanimate objects in public - it's a collection to be envied :)

[Gary]

NM, if curbs are a problem try walking on painted lines (like the ones bordering cross walks) or in relatively empty parking lots. It's surprisingly difficult i.e. good exercise.

Or you could just try sauntering along the railings on overpasses...

Those pesky office walls. I blame it on their upbringing. No consideration of others.

[NerdyMommy]

I'm laughing out loud at the mental picture I got of me trying to do any sort of exercise that involved balance. I tried that 'walking on a curb' thing once... wound up with a sprained ankle. That'll teach me to show off. Surprisingly enough, when I was young, and in gymnastics, I could do cartwheels on the high balance beam...

Now I'm lucky if I can get though a whole day at the office without a cube wall or a hallway corner jumping out at me. Especially if someone is walking beside me... I'm almost certain to have a run in with a wall. Partly because I have no judgement when it comes to space and distance, and partly because hey, what fun is it for me to bump into walls if there's no one there to see it?

[Gary]

It is said that a recent study indicates that exercising with a partner increases endorphin production. I'm guessing that this really applies to sex. Possibly laughter too.

http://www.realage.com/tips/easy-way-to-up-your-exercise-endorphins

[Gary]

Um, I think it has something to do with babies.

[DANA]

I am in the dark on this one......Exactly how can sex promote an increase in weight? If that is the case, I am heading for celibacy!

[DaveS]

Comment by Gary 3 hours ago
Although I understand that, for some people, sex can cause a weight gain as well :)


Or, it can cause laughter. So everybody still wins?

[Gary]

At least sex and laughter are still OK. Although I understand that, for some people, sex can cause a weight gain as well :)

One interesting point that I forgot to mention about exercise ties in with my Spazatron postings. Apparently balance training is particularly good for ADDers. This can be complex, involving apparatus like balance balls or platforms. It can also be simpler, using exercises like standing on one leg while holding your arms, body and other leg out horizontally. Or it can be very simple. I like walking along the curb when I'm on a sidewalk. It's like being on a balance beam but at ground level so falling isn't such a problem.

Balance exercises improve core strength as well as training the brain in fine motor control.

[DANA]

I will pass on the suffering and being terrified, too! Then again, if we eat too much chocolate, we may end up terrified and suffer the consequences of over indulging! LOL!

[Gary]

The only problem with chocolate is that it is usually associated with a ton of calories, all of which go to waist.

I'll pass on the suffering and the terrified but exercise, sex and laughing sound good. Especially if they are mixed together. With chocolate :)