[Attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome and the capacity to practice sports]

To know the sportive activities of children and adolescents, males, with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

There were studied 100 patients, all males, with ages ranging 6 to 16 years (average: 9.28 years), 50 of the hospital and 50 of the private consultation. The subgroup of ADHD was identified in all patients. The patients were asked on the sports most usually made, although the response had to be confirmed by the parents.

Twenty-five cases showed attention deficit, 16 hyperactivity, and 59 combined form. If only one sport is to have had in consideration, football was the most practiced sport, with 20 cases. If a second sportive activity was also considered, cycling was the most practiced sport, with 29 cases, while only 23 patients played football (more than a 50% as goalkeeper) if we wanted the two first options. A less number of cases made basketball, swimming, judo or taekwondo, vasque ball and several others. Thirty three patients did not make any sport and most of them showed an unsporting attitude. Less than a half of the cases showed motivation to practice sport and less than a third was disciplined obeying the orders of the coach and/or the leader.

The patients with ADHD mostly show little motivation for the sport activities, being cycling and football (preferable as goalkeeper) the two most frequently practiced. The patients usually show little motivation and discipline.