High School Athletes with ADHD Experience Prolonged Concussion Recovery

Recent research from the University of Hawai?i at Manoa has revealed that high school athletes diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a significantly extended recovery period following concussions compared to their non-ADHD counterparts. This study, which analyzed data from 935 student-athletes who suffered concussions between 2010 and 2018, was published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

According to the findings, athletes with ADHD took an average of nearly 13 days to return to academic activities, which is about two days longer than their peers without ADHD. Furthermore, these athletes required almost 21 days to resume participation in sports, a delay of approximately three days compared to non-ADHD athletes.

Kyoko Shirahata, a faculty member in the College of Education's Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, emphasized the importance of understanding that concussion recovery is not uniform for all athletes. The data indicates that ADHD can significantly influence the duration of recovery, suggesting that those affected may require tailored support to ensure a safe return to both learning and athletic activities.

The study also highlighted that female athletes and younger students generally experience longer recovery times. While earlier studies hinted at these trends, this research represents one of the first comprehensive efforts to differentiate the impact of ADHD while considering variables such as age and sex.

The data for this study was collected by certified athletic trainers from 60 high schools in Hawai?i, as part of a statewide concussion monitoring initiative. Shirahata noted, "Our goal is to enhance the understanding among athletes, coaches, families, and healthcare providers that recovery timelines can vary for valid reasons. By customizing care to meet each student's specific needs, we can better facilitate their recovery."

Nathan Murata, Dean of the College of Education and a co-author of the study, underscored the significance of this research in advancing the health and safety of student-athletes. He stated that a deeper understanding of how ADHD interacts with sports-related injuries can lead to safer environments and more informed decisions regarding athletes' return to play.

The researchers hope their findings will encourage the development of individualized concussion management plans and underscore the need for baseline testing and symptom tracking in high school athletics.

For further details, the complete study can be found in the Journal of Athletic Training.