Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Status And Baseline Neurocognitive Performance In High School Athletes

Keywords

ADHD; children; concussion; neuropsychology; sport; traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Approximately 136,000 concussions occur annually in American high school sports. Neuropsychological data indicate that children with preexisting cognitive difficulties, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may have protracted recovery from concussion. ADHD, with an estimated prevalence of 11% in youth, may increase an athlete's vulnerability to sustaining sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI). The preponderance of evidence focusing on TBI and ADHD has derived from motor vehicle accidents rather than sports-related incidents. Thus, it is paramount to explore how ADHD may relate to injury in the sports concussion context, as well as to assess how ADHD may affect baseline neurocognitive testing. Adolescent athletes with ADHD (n = 256) demonstrated significantly reduced Verbal Memory, Visual Motor, and Impulse Control index scores compared with their peers without ADHD (n = 256). Athletes with ADHD were nearly twice as likely to have sustained a prior concussion (ADHD, 14.1%; non-ADHD, 7.8%). Knowledge regarding the unique neurocognitive profile of athletes with ADHD may enhance clinical management decisions.

Publication Date

10-1-2016

Publication Title

Applied Neuropsychology: Child

Volume

5

Issue

4

Number of Pages

264-272

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2015.1052814

Socpus ID

84961215958 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84961215958

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