Neurodivergence Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are studies that have looked into the links between neurodiversity and mental health in sport
Hoarse et al., 2023 - systematic review of neurodivergence in sport studies
Ekman et al., 2021 - qualitative study to understand ADHD and autism symptoms among athletes
Duquesne et al., 2022
Mixed experiences of elite athletes with intellectual disabilities and / or ASD in specific (for disabled athletes) and mainstream (for non-disabled athletes) sports contexts
Pujalte et al., 2021 - updated position statement
What are points of appraisal for Hoare et al., 2023
Systematic scoping review makes it a high quality source of evidence. Scoping review not normally designed to provide ACC implications for practice.
However,
only 10 of the 23 studies focussed on wellbeing and this included physical wellbeing. Thus there is a risk of inference due to a lack of explicit evidence around mental health.
Most of the current evidence in relation to sport and neurodivergence focusses on ADHD and concussions and medical treatments of ADHD impact on doping. No studies are focussing on clinical practice.
Provides possible recommendations for inclusive practices: importance of developing evidene-based inclusive practices in elite sport to support neurodivergent athletes
Review is also specific to elite sport, so may not be applicable to grassroots sports
Little research into the perspectives of athletes
Some of the qualitative studies included were not peer reviewed
What are points for evaluation of Ekman et al., 2021
200 students aged 16-19 into athletes and non-athletes, measured ADHD and Autism symptoms.
found higher ADHD scores in athletes compared to non-athletes. Whilst doing sport activities ADHD scores were lower. No significant differences in ASD symptoms.
Suggests ADHD could be more common in athletes and that ADHD symptoms may be functional when completing sport e.g. hyperfocus advantageous
But was a cross-sectional design - makes difficult to make inference, can’t measure incidence, susceptible to biases such as nonresponse bias and recall bias (Wange and Cheng, 2020)
Only measured symptoms not diagnosis
There was no measure of performance or mechanisms or mental health
Focused on individuals factors and did not include contextual factors
What are points of evaluation for Duquesne et al., 2022
Found positive experiences for disabled athletes: felt more comfortable and supported, less stigma. Negative experiences for disabled athletes included lacking quality training, still experiencing stigma
In non-disabled athletes felt that there was better recognition and higher training quality, lack fo belief from peers and coaches and stigma were negative experiences identified
suggest need for more flexible and better support for athletes with ID and / or asd in both contexts
What are aspects from the position statements by Putukian et al., 2011 and Pujalte et al., 2023)
Untreated ADHD put individuals at risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse (1). Medication can also create side effects and are unique considerations in these athletes (2).
What evidence is posed by putukian et al., 2021 what are appraisal factors?
Heavy focus on ADHD, little research on experiences from athlete’s perspectives
Sport improved symptoms, created positive outlet and led to structure and routine
Although had inconsistent performance, impulsivity, suffered medication side effects like increased HR and BP, and were more sensitive to criticism.
What are neurodiverse conditions that may play a part in sport?
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculculia and Tourette’s
What are individual and contextual factors that contribute to poor versus good mental health for neurodiverse athletes
untreated adhd and asd can have negative impact on mental health.
doing exercise in general population theoretically should help manage adhd and autism - however some research suggesting link to ED behaviour
Clear cut routine can create positive effect on mental health.
Contracts and sponsorship can pose risk for those with dyscalculia and dyslexia.
Sport can provide positive outlet for excess energy and improve self-esteem and social skills
however, not much evidence base around these factors especially in sport. Many studies ihn Hoare et al., weren’t peer reviewed and this was specific to elite sports. So may be different pressures.
How does PPCT model components map onto neurodiversity and mental health in sport?
Proximal processes can be affected in neurodiverse athletes leading to possible improved self-esteem
Resources: may need medication but not able to use due to anti-doping rules
In microsystem: peers and coaches have varying training and skills
In macrosystem: stigma affects their experience
May have different abilities to develop resources for aiding with mental health issues. ADHD may make it difficult to organise consistent attendance at training. May struggle more with alcohol abuse symptoms due to force factor of impulsivity. Demand characteristics are created by their neurodivergence due to predisposition to things such as anxiety and depression. May have positive greater force factors such as hyperfocus. However, may struggle more to engage with more complex areas of training that they are less interested in for example complicated technique.
Chronosystem mental health can improve overtime through receiving more appropriate diagnosis, e.g. not personality disorder but autism
