How does ADHD Affect Athletes?
Signs of ADHD in Athletes
- Athlete may exhibit quick emotional reactions, may lose temper, and have conflicts with coaches, peers and/or referees (Jotwani & Perry, 2014)
- Athlete has short attention span that may lead to errors in and out of the game.
- Athlete may be impatient and have difficulty waiting their turn.
- Athlete may struggle to receive direction, needing frequent interventions with reminders for parents, coaches, and/or peers
- Athletes may often display negative body language in response to adversity within gameplay (Berg et al., 2020)
effects of ADHD in Athletes
- Psychological issues such as depression and/or anxiety
- Academic Decline
- Scheduling/Timing Issues and Concerns
- Inattention
- Impulsivity
- Hyperactivity
ADHD Coaching for coaches & ATHletes
The extraordinary combination of characteristics for an athlete include strength, speed, talent, but it may also include characteristics affected by ADHD such as attention to details, focus, organizational skills, and decision making, basic executive functioning skills and training that we can assist with. Our coaches are former athletes, bringing knowledge of being an athlete and now currently teaching athletes. Consultation with pro coaches and former and current professional athletes are also services we provide.
Our specialized ADHD Coaching will attempt to bridge the gap on performance and an ADHD diagnosis in athletes to help them accomplish and achieve their goals.
Li, L., Olson, H. O., Tereschenko, I., Wang, A., & McCleery, J. (2024).
adhd and sports: Why every child should be involved
adhd, sports, and exercise
adhd, sports, and executive functioning skills
adhd, sports, and executive functioning skills
- Exercise increases dopamine and norepinephrine, improving attention, mood, and self-regulation
- Movements help with emotional regulation, helping to channel frustration, and regulate adrenaline and energy in productive ways
- It builds confidence, resilience, identity, belonging, and healthy eating and sleeping habits.
adhd, sports, and executive functioning skills
adhd, sports, and executive functioning skills
adhd, sports, and executive functioning skills
- Sports structure builds EF skills, helping with planning, memory, and impulse control.
- Learning plays, following rules, and practicing routines help develop working memory, inhibition, and flexible thinking.
- Team environments provide natural feedback, building accountability and self-reflection
- Supports social development by encouraging turn-taking, reading social cues, and resolving conflicts
Montalva-Valenzuela, F., Andrades-Ramírez, O., & Castillo-Paredes, A. (2022)