An Examination of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and its Association with Mood Disorders and Physical Activity in Former Professional American-Style Football (ASF) Players.

Abstract

Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been described extensively in the general population and sport-related research, it has seldom been examined in professional athletes, particularly former professional American-style football (ASF) players. In addition, research has frequently described mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as common co-occurring conditions with ADHD and has found that physical activity can improve symptoms in all three conditions. The purpose of this study is to examine and report on ADHD in a population where it has not been thoroughly investigated previously—in former ASF players—using self-reported survey data collected by the Football Players Health Study. In addition to describing ADHD in this former ASF player population, this work will investigate the association between demographic, football-related, and health characteristics and ADHD diagnoses. This research will explore the association between physical activity and mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, specifically in those with reported ADHD. Among 4,067 former professional ASF players (aged 51.5 (SD=14.4) years; 38.9% Black), 10.1% reported being told they have ADHD. Among the 409 who reported having ADHD (aged 46.2 (SD=13.4) years; 33.0% Black), 42.7% reported taking ADHD medication and 59.4% met the recommended physical activity standards. In those with self-reported ADHD, 49.0% and 42.2% met the criteria for anxiety and depression, respectively, and among 3,658 former ASF players without ADHD, 20.4% and 18.7% met criteria for anxiety and depression, respectively. Using logistic regression models, it was found that self-identifying as Black, being separated/divorced, and having anxiety, sleep apnea, and sleep deprivation were significantly associated with ADHD diagnoses. When controlling for age, race, marital status, sleep apnea, and sleep deprivation, physical activity was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of having anxiety and having depression, specifically in those with reported ADHD. Although physical activity was negatively associated with anxiety and depression in these former players with ADHD, further research is needed to explore the relationship between physical activity and symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety—something that was outside of the scope of this research. Given the limited research on ADHD among populations such as professional athletes, there is a pressing need for increased focus and investigation in this area to understand how sport influences the lives of individuals with ADHD and to identify potential areas of improvement for these athletes.