Does type of exercise matter? Network meta-analysis of the effects of different exercise modalities on inhibitory control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

To compare the effects of single aerobic exercise, cognitive + exercise, combined exercise, and ball exercise on inhibitory control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using network Meta-analysis. Literature related to randomized controlled trials of exercise interventions for inhibitory control in children with ADHD was searched in the databases of pubmed、Web of science、Embase、Cochrane、and Scopus with a search deadline of December 31, 2023. Two researchers screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality. Statistical analysis and plotting were performed using Stata 17.0 software. A total of 18 papers involving 737 participants were included. Network Meta-analysis showed that single aerobic exercise [SMD = 0.75 (0.27,1.22), P < 0.05], ball games [SMD = 1.98 (0.99,2.97), P < 0.05] were significantly better than the control group, and ball games were significantly better than the combination exercises [SMD = 1.66(0.50,2.81), P < 0.05], cognitive + exercise [SMD = 1.69(0.46,2.92), P < 0.05], single aerobic exercise[SMD = 1.23(0.13,2.33), P < 0.05]. The results of SUCRA probability ranking showed that ball exercises played the most significant role in improving inhibitory control (SUCRA = 99.5). Single aerobic and ball sports have significant advantages in inhibitory control in children with ADHD; ball sports are significantly better than combined exercises, single aerobic exercise, and cognitive + exercise in inhibitory control in children with ADHD. Ball games are the most effective intervention in enhancing inhibitory control in children with ADHD.