Getting children involved with sports offers plenty of benefits, including physical exercise, development of social skills and even boosted self-esteem. But do all sports offer the same level of benefit for children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
A common condition, the three main symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity, but children with ADHD tend to experience these symptoms at varying levels, says Leonard Pollack, M.D., a pediatrician at Henry Ford Health.
Depending upon the severity of their symptoms, children with ADHD may find they enjoy playing some sports more than others. Factors like the coaching dynamic, overall pace of the sport and focus on teamwork versus individual performance may influence the decision on which sport is best.
Team Sports vs. Individual Sports
The sports that are most ideal for children with ADHD are those with a more individual focus, said Dr. Pollack. Many of these sports offer athletes the opportunity to compete as an individual, but they still get the experience of being part of a team because their individual scores often contribute to the team’s overall score. One major benefit of individual sports for children with ADHD is the direct interaction between the coach and the athlete.
“Individual sports offer a coaching dynamic where the instruction is more one-on-one," says Dr. Pollack. "It’s much easier for children with ADHD to focus if there are fewer distractions and the coaching is directed specifically at them. If they are playing a sport where the coaching is directed more at the team as a whole, an athlete with ADHD may have a harder time paying attention."
Because of the coaching and more individual focus, Dr. Pollack says examples of sports that children with ADHD may enjoy include:
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- Wrestling
- Martial arts
- Swimming
- Track or cross country
While individual sports may provide certain benefits for kids with ADHD, there are still some team sports they may enjoy playing. If an athlete with ADHD would like to play team sports, Dr. Pollack suggests one of the following:
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Soccer
“Basketball, hockey and soccer are sports where the athletes are almost always moving and there’s very little idle time,” Dr. Pollack explains. “That constant motion provides a good outlet for the athletes to use their energy, and having less idle team means they are less likely to become distracted.”
ADHD Medication and Sports
One of the things parents should keep in mind is their child’s medication schedule. Most students are treated for ADHD in a way that allows the medication to peak when the child is in school, because that’s when he or she most needs to pay attention. But if they play sports after school, the medication regimen should reflect the change in schedule, Dr. Pollack says.
For older children who are interested in going on to play sports in college, there may be concern about their medication because some of the substances used to treat ADHD are on the NCAA’s list of banned substances. Dr. Pollack says the NCAA will make exceptions for athletes who have documented ADHD and a medical need for the medication. For college-age athletes or high school athletes who are planning to play in college, it’s very important that their coaches and trainers know about their medication, and that all necessary documentation is turned in to prevent any issues related to its use.
Children with ADHD can benefit from sports just as much as their peers who don’t have the condition. It’s all about finding a sport they enjoy and are comfortable with. If you have questions about your child playing a particular sport, ask your child’s pediatrician for guidance or schedule a sports physical.
Reviewed by Leonard Pollack, M.D., a pediatrician who sees patients at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.
