The therapeutic potential of exercise and caffeine on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in athletes

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by evident and persistent inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and social difficulties and is the most common childhood neuropsychiatric disorder, and which may persist into adulthood. Seventy to 80% of children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication, with positive response rates occurring for both populations. Medicated ADHD individuals generally show sustained and improved attention, inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, on-task behavior, and cognitive performance. The ethics of ADHD medication use in athletics has been a debated topic in sport performance for a long time. Stimulants are banned from competition in accordance with World Anti-Doping Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association regulations, due to their ability to not only enhance cognitive performance but also exercise performance. Limited research has been conducted looking at the differences in exercise performance variables in unmedicated ADHD verses medicated ADHD. Not all ADHD athletes choose stimulant medication in their treatment plan due to personal, financial, or other reasons. Non-stimulant treatment options include non-stimulant medication and behavioral therapy. However, the use of caffeinated compounds and exercise has both independently been shown to be effective in the management of ADHD symptoms in human studies and animal models. This mini review will discuss the effect of exercise and caffeine on neurobehavioral, cognitive, and neurophysiological factors, and exercise performance in ADHD athletes, and whether exercise and caffeine should be considered in the treatment plan for an individual with ADHD.

Effects of Caffeine on Main Symptoms in Children with ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

“…These characteristics, similar to those of first-choice medication for managing ADHD, raise the hypothesis that caffeine also plays a role in reducing impulsivity, improving sustained attention, and reducing hyperactivity. Recent literature reviews [ 46 , 47 , 48 ] indicate that caffeine may serve as a therapeutic option in managing patients with ADHD, although this is controversial in the literature. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effect of caffeine versus placebo on ADHD symptoms in children.…”

BDNF, inflammatory and oxidative levels in treatment-naïve ADHD children treated with methylphenidate: An open cohort protocol

“…Different ADHD risk factors, such as prematurity, paternal smoking, exposure to pesticides and lead may be associated with common pathophysiological pathways, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic factors. Likewise, intrauterine pro-inflammatory factors during the gestational period may be associated with restricted intrauterine growth, miscarriage, premature birth, placenta abruption, neurological damage, some of which are risk factors for ADHD [7,8,9, 10, 11, 12]. Neuroinflammation in physiological and pathological conditions may activate microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells.…”