Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in gymnastics: preliminary findings

Abstract

Background Athletic performance without benefit from performance-enhancing substances is essential in amateur sports; yet, prohibiting specific medications creates discrimination against competitors with a medical illness. To avoid such inequalities, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) adopted international standards for therapeutic use exemptions (TUE). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment within the athletic population is a unique challenge. Stimulants, first-line treatment for ADHD, are prohibited unless alternative, non-prohibited medications have first been tried and found ineffective. The world prevalence of ADHD is 5.3%; however, there are no ADHD prevalence studies in sports. This paper addresses ADHD in a boys’ gymnastics team, implications for further research with a proposed survey-questionnaire to measure prevalence of ADHD with behavioral effects of gymnastics, and ethical considerations. Method Preliminary ADHD prevalence in a boys’ gymnastics team is presented with complementary literature review and a proposed survey-questionnaire to estimate actual ADHD prevalence in gymnastics populations with behavioral effects. Results The parents of boys in a gymnastic reported that 5 of 7 (71.4%) boys were either diagnosed with ADHD in the past or had been treated with stimulant or non-stimulant medications for inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive behaviours. Parents described gymnastics as effective ″behavioral therapy″ in controlling/improving ADHD symptoms, with this effect extending into other environments (home/classroom). Only one parent was aware of WADA stimulant prohibition. Conclusions A surprisingly large ADHD prevalence is reported in one boys’ gymnastic team. Further research is required to verify this high ADHD prevalence and behavioral effects in gymnastics. A proposed survey-questionnaire to measure both ADHD prevalence and behavioral effects in gymnastics is presented.