The Effects of Stimulant Medication and Training on Sports Competence Among Children With ADHD

Abstract

Objective: The current study examined the relative efficacy of behavioral sports training, medication, and their combination in improving sports competence among youth with ADHD. Method: Participants included 73 youth (74% male; 81% Hispanic) between the ages of 5 and 12 diagnosed with DSM-IV ADHD enrolled in a Summer Treatment Program (STP). The study consisted of a 2 (medication: methylphenidate, placebo) x 2 (sports training: instruction and practice, recreational play) between-groups design and was conducted over a 3-week period during the STP. Sports training was conducted with a novel sport, Badminton, to limit previous sport knowledge and to differentiate it from concurrent sports training that occurred within the STP. Objective and subjective measures of sports skills, knowledge, and behavior were collected. Results: Results indicated that, relative to recreational play, brief sports training improved observed and counselor-rated measures of sports competence including: sports skills, knowledge, game awareness, effort, frustration, and enjoyment. During sports training, medication incrementally improved children’s observed rule following behavior and counselor-rated sportsmanship relative to placebo. In the absence of sports training, medication improved behavior, effort, and sport knowledge. Conclusions: Training in sports skills and rules produced the largest magnitude effects on sports-related outcomes. Therefore, skills training, rather than medication alone, should be used in conjunction with behavioral intervention to teach sports to youth with ADHD. It is recommended that medication only be used as an adjunct to highly structured sports skills training for youth who display high rates of negative behavior during sports activities.

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with relatively short stature among adolescents

“…Therefore, previous studies have suggested caloric changes as a possible cause of linear growth deficits. Treatment with stimulants may also affect dietary intake, physical activity and sleep, which could have an impact on energy balance and growth 3,29,30 . However, this study found no differences in anthropometry, lifestyle characteristics and nutritional intake between stimulant‐treated and untreated ADHD adolescents.…”

“…Treatment with stimulants may also affect dietary intake, physical activity and sleep, which could have an impact on energy balance and growth. 3,29,30 However, this study found no differences in anthropometry, lifestyle characteristics and nutritional intake between stimulant-treated and untreated ADHD adolescents. These findings should be viewed with caution as our sub-sample was relatively small, and information about ADHD pharmacotherapy was self-reported and incomplete, with no data regarding duration and dosage.…”

ADHD Prescription Medications and Their Effect on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Performance effects of methylphenidate were tested via badminton skill acquisition [ 18 ], handgrip strength [ 19 ], and cycling timed trials [ 20 ]. Study participants provided with 21 mg of methylphenidate were found to have improvement in sportsmanship and effort ( p < 0.01) but not in acquisition of sport-specific skills [ 18 ]. King et al [ 19 ] and Roelands et al [ 20 ] both utilized 20 mg methylphenidate in their studies.…”

“…An additional confounding factor is that two studies [ 18 , 24 ] included a population of children with ADHD and already on stimulant medications, whereas all other studies included participants who were naive to stimulant medications. Though these studies demonstrated up to moderate effect on physical performance, it is unclear how the chronicity of stimulant medication use impacts athletic performance overall.…”

Efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for promoting occupational success in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

“…Relative to typically developing comparison peers, individuals with ADHD experience job-related impairments including a greater likelihood of being unemployed and not enrolled in school; those who are employed tend to be in lower status occupations (Babinski et al, 2011; Barkley, Murphy, & Fischer, 2008; Mannuzza, Klein, Bessler, Malloy, & Hynes, 1997). ADHD is also associated with a number of financial challenges, including lower annual income, more reliance on public aid, and increased risk for homelessness (Altszuler et al, 2019; Fischer & Barkley, 2006; Hechtman et al, 2016; Pelham III et al 2020). However, although multiple studies illustrate the occupational impairment faced by individuals with ADHD, few investigate what may promote successful outcomes.…”