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Wrestling programs for hyperactive children also have been quite successful. In wrestling, the coach usually teaches the athlete one-on-one, which enhances listening and works better than group teaching. As in swimming and soccer, endurance and stamina are improved, as is strength of all muscle groups.

Other activities in which hyperactive children have been particularly successful are diving, weight lifting, track and field, gymnastics, and, in some cases, tennis and golf. Tennis and golf, however, are difficult to learn and often end in frustration, which may bring out more of the attention deficit symptoms. Weight lifting is a fairly explosive sport which does not require sustained concentration, but it should be done under the guidance of a coach and should be reserved for children who are physically mature enough to avoid injury.

Role of medication

Often one of the most successful ways to enhance sports participation is to use methylphenidate or other medications. Hyperactive kids battle with the same problems on the athletic field as they do in the classroom. Methylphenidate and other medications are used primarily to improve the efficiency of learning by increasing attention span and decreasing hyperactive behavior, distractibility, and impulsiveness. Medication will not make children smarter, but they may very well study more effectively. There is also evidence that methylphenidate and other stimulant medications improve social skills.

If one of the purposes of medication is to increase attention and thereby improve academic achievement, it also makes sense to consider the benefits of medication to improve athletic and other recreational skills. The reason for using medications in these children, after all, is to help them succeed in general-not just in sports or academics. However, when their confidence and self-esteem are improved by helping them perform better in sports, other benefits may multiply. Many physicians now recommend that medication doses be adjusted so they will be effective during athletic practices and events. The fact is that medication makes many children more amenable to coaching.

For example, one boy was asked what sport he was playing. "Hockey," he replied. "What position do you play?" "E.O.B." "What's E.O.B.?" "End of the bench," answered the boy. His father then said, "What makes this particularly sad is that I'm the coach, but no one wants to play on his line. He skates well, handles the puck well, and shoots very well. The problem is that he doesn't listen to his coach or teammates, he's possessive of the puck and rarely passes, and has no concept of team play."

This boy was taking 10mg of methylphenidate in the morning and at noon. He was then instructed to take another 10mg of methylphenidate later in the afternoon, about 30 minutes before hockey practices and games. At a follow-up visit 2 months later, the father said the boy had improved so much in team play that he was selected for the all-star team at the end of the season. This suggests that many children have all ingredients for success, but they are sabotaged by the attention deficit symptoms.

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