ADHD Associated with Extended Concussion Recovery in High School Athletes

Recent research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa highlights that high school athletes diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to experience longer recovery periods following concussions compared to their peers. The study, led by Kyoko Shirahata from the College of Education's Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, analyzed data from 935 student-athletes who suffered concussions between 2010 and 2018. The findings, published in the Journal of Athletic Training, reveal that athletes with ADHD took approximately 13 days to return to classroom activities—about two days longer than athletes without ADHD—and nearly 21 days to resume sports, roughly three days more. Shirahata emphasized that concussion recovery varies among individuals and that students with ADHD may require tailored support for safe return to learning and play.

The study also identified that female athletes and younger students generally experience longer recovery durations. Using data from certified athletic trainers across 60 high schools in Hawaiʻi, the research underscores the importance of personalized concussion management. The researchers advocate for individualized assessment, baseline testing, and meticulous symptom tracking to optimize recovery protocols. These insights aim to aid healthcare providers, coaches, and families in understanding the distinct needs of students with ADHD amid concussion recovery, ultimately promoting safer sports practices and health outcomes.

This work signifies a vital step toward better understanding how conditions like ADHD influence injury recovery in youth athletes and highlights the need for personalized care and informed return-to-play decisions.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-adhd-linked-longer-concussion-recovery.html