mean enhanced learning and memory. This was
demonstrated recently when college-age adults who
exercised on a stationary bike while learning a new
language were able to retain and understand what they
learned better than controls who were sedentary during
lessons.^29 For the millions diagnosed with ADHD, this
strategy can serve as a natural cognitive enhancer, as
norepinephrine (and dopamine) reuptake inhibitors are
frequently prescribed to treat ADHD.
While the vast majority of medical school curricula are
absent any focus on exercise for their doctors-to-be,
research has borne out that exercise may be the best form of
medicine for the ADHD brain:^30 in a slew of trials, kids who
took part in a regular physical activity program showed
enhanced cognitive performance and executive function and
improved math and reading test scores and demonstrated an
overall reduction of ADHD symptoms. Perhaps we should
keep this in mind when physical education appears on the
chopping block at the next school budget meeting.
NERD ALERT
As Dr. Paul and I work on this chapter, we are taking turns
writing and doing kettlebell swings. We both often used this
“hack” in school when studying for a grueling exam. This
not only would help break up the marathon of monotony by
doing push-ups, squats, or dips between two chairs in the
library, but would also serve as a way to increase blood