ADHD status and female sex significant variables for longer recovery to return-to-learn and return-to-sport<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, May 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For high school athletes, attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) status, female sex, and younger age are potential risk factors for prolonged recovery from sport-related concussion, according to a study published online March 25 in the Journal of Athletic Training<\/em>.<\/p>\n Kyoko Shirahata, Ph.D., from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and colleagues examined concussion recovery time based on ADHD status, sex, and age in a cross-sectional study involving 935 concussions among high school students. Return-to-learn and return-to-sport recovery outcomes were estimated.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the mean return-to-learn days were 12.86 \u00b1 10.89 and 1.43 \u00b1 8.39 for the ADHD and non-ADHD groups, respectively. The mean return-to-sport days were 20.82 \u00b1 15.25 and 18.03 \u00b1 11.42 days for the ADHD and non-ADHD groups, respectively. ADHD status and female sex were significant variables for longer recovery for return-to-learn (risk ratios, 1.16 and 1.13, respectively), while age was not. ADHD status, female sex, and younger age were all significant variables for longer recovery for return-to-sport (risk ratios, 1.17, 1.07, and 0.98, respectively).<\/p>\n “Clinicians should be aware of the possible longer recovery for athletes with ADHD, particularly younger female athletes, to provide anticipatory guidance and to address questions regarding the return-to-sport recovery timeline following concussion,” the authors write.<\/p>\n