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). Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment within the athletic population is a unique challenge. Stimulants, first-line treatment for ADHD, are prohibited unless alternative, nonprohibited 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 surveyquestionnaire 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. © 2010 Consell Català de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: kaufmakr@umdnj.edu (K.R. Kaufman). Documento descargado de http://www.apunts.org el 29/06/2011. Copia para uso personal, se prohíbe la transmisión de este documento por cualquier medio o formato. Trastorno de déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH) en gimnasia: resultados preliminares Resumen:Antecedentes: En el deporte amateur es esencial alcanzar un rendimiento deportivo sin el beneficio de sustancias que lo mejoren. Sin embargo, la prohibición de determinados fármacos genera una discriminación a los competidores con determinadas enfermedades. Para evitar esas desigualdades, la Agencia Mundial Antidopaje (AMA) aprobó las normas internacionales para la autorización de uso terapéutico (AUT). El tratamiento del trastorno de déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) supone un desafío único en el deporte. Los estimulantes, el tratamiento de primera línea para el TDAH, están prohibidos a menos que haya medicamentos alternativos que hayan sido pre...

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