Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Neurocognitive Deficits Associated With ADHD in Athletes: A Systematic Review
Poyrung Poysophon1, Ashwin L Rao1
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Context:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder and is frequently diagnosed in young adults. Emerging studies suggest a relationship between ADHD and concussion.
Objective:
To determine whether athletes with ADHD are at increased risk for neurocognitive deficits related to concussion risk, symptom reporting, and recovery.
Data Sources:
A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Studies conducted between 2006 and 2017 were reviewed, although only those between 2013 and 2017 met inclusion criteria.
Study Selection:
Studies that examined neurocognitive deficits in adolescent and young adult athletes aged 15 to 19 years who had ADHD and reported using notable neuropsychological evaluation tools were included.
Study Design:
Systematic review.
Level Of Evidence:
Level 2.
Results:
A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of ADHD in athletes varied between 4.2% and 8.1%. Overall, athletes with ADHD demonstrated lower scores on neurocognitive testing such as the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test), increased risk for concussion, and increased symptom reporting. There was no evidence that treatment with stimulant medication changed these risks.
Conclusion:
ADHD is associated with increased neurocognitive deficits in athletes, although pathophysiology remains unclear. Evidence for stimulant treatment in athletes with ADHD continues to be sparse.
More Related Videos
13:09Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
Published on: April 1, 2018
10:02Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
Published on: March 12, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Review and Preview
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
Review and Preview
Random and Systematic Errors
Systematic Sampling Method
Systematic sampling is one of the simplest methods...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Propagation of Uncertainty from Systematic Error