Lower extremity response time performance in boys with ADHD

Objective: Children with ADHD have been labeled as "uncoordinated" and "inefficient movers"; however, a paucity of research has systematically examined "stimulant-free" motor processing in this population.

Method: In the present investigation, the authors employ a cross-lateral integration task to assess the attainment of a motor milestone in a corpus of 16 adolescents with ADHD acutely removed from their daily medication routine (methylphenidate) and 19 age-matched peers. Participants perform a choice response time task involving the lower extremity to targets located at midline and in ipsilateral and contralateral space.

Results/Conclusion: This investigation finds that children with ADHD have slower lower extremity reaction and movement times compared to controls, and all preadolescent children demonstrate an inhibition in processing movements that require crossing the midline of the body.