Can Sports Help Your Child Manage ADHD Symptoms?

How ADHD Manifests During Sports and Why Athletics May Benefit Your Child

Sports can present challenges for children with ADHD including requirements to be attentive, organized, and calm. Symptoms of ADHD may show up for children during athletics as difficulty waiting for their turn, struggling to follow directions, poor time management, emotional outbursts, or even reckless behavior. This may contribute to errors during play, being at increased risk for injury, or conflicts with coaches and teammates. However, these challenges also offer opportunities to develop and practice important skills. Parents can enhance a child’s readiness for participating in sports through social skills training, a consistent approach at home, clear expectations about behaviors, providing positive reinforcement, and teaching the stop and think technique.

Sports as a component of your child’s management of ADHD symptoms:

The study ADHD and Adolescent Athletes explains that participation in sports can improve on-task behaviors, self-confidence, and social skills. Regular exercise increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which Nazeer et al note are deficient in individuals with ADHD. Children with a regular schedule of physical activity have been found to have improved academic performance and an improved overall attitude (Halperin & Healey 2011). You may be considering how much physical activity may be a good component of your child’s symptoms management. Archer and Kostrzewa concluded that engaging in a regular exercise program for 5 days per week significantly improves ADHD-related behaviors.

Which sport would be good for my student with ADHD?

CHADD notes that sports that focus on mastering individual skills (e.g. swimming, diving, martial arts, archery, ballet, golf) are particularly good for ADHD. Preparing for practices, practicing, and engaging in sporting events provide opportunities to sharpen individual skills, the ability to follow steps, as well as the ability to be in the moment. 

A multimodal approach is often cited as the most effective management approach for ADHD. Sports can be one aspect of a multimodal approach that may include strategies at home, interventions at school, and medication. For more information regarding the benefits of sports for individuals with ADHD, see What’s Up with Athletes and ADHD.

Bradley Paramore, Ed.S., NCSP
Diagnostic Center Psychologist