Kirsty Brown is an avid golfer who expresses a desire to simply teleport to the first tee, finding the logistics of arriving on time, remembering her equipment, and ensuring she has eaten beforehand to be much more daunting than the act of playing itself. As someone diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), she finds it challenging to articulate her experiences to coaches or fellow players, admitting, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t necessarily make sense to them \u2013 it doesn\u2019t really make sense to me either.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown is also a researcher at the University of Birmingham, where she focuses on neurodivergent athletes in sports. Although many prominent athletes openly discuss their ADHD diagnoses, the specific effects of this condition on their participation and performance remain largely unexplored. \u201cThere\u2019s not a huge amount of research yet,\u201d she notes, adding that while there are some case studies, comprehensive data is still lacking.<\/p>\n
However, there are numerous inspiring narratives emerging from the sporting world. For instance, Adam Ramsay-Peaty has shared that his ADHD contributes to both his intense motivation and occasional impulsive behavior. This week, the three-time Olympic champion made a remarkable comeback at the British Swimming Championships, clinching victory in the 100m breaststroke with the second-fastest time globally this year, and following it up with a win in the 50m event, marking his initial steps toward the upcoming LA Olympics. This extraordinary return comes after he took a hiatus from swimming in 2023 for mental health reasons.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Ellie Kildunne, a full-back for the Red Roses, has opened up about her ADHD following England’s Six Nations victory over Ireland. In her recently released book, *Game Changer*, she reflects on the clarity her diagnosis has provided her, acknowledging, \u201cI like chaos; that\u2019s just the way I\u2019m wired.\u201d She also discussed her battle with an eating disorder that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely tied to her ADHD.<\/p>\n
It is crucial to acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of ADHD, as the increasing visibility of elite athletes discussing their experiences can lead to a perception that the condition is a common trait among successful individuals. Some athletes, including Kildunne, refer to ADHD as a superpower due to the \u201chyperfocus\u201d it can induce, allowing them to immerse themselves completely in training and competition.<\/p>\n
Notable figures who have successfully harnessed this potential include the most decorated Olympian in history, Michael Phelps, and the current fastest man in the world, Noah Lyles. A 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal indicated that ADHD may be overrepresented in elite sports, with about 8% of Major League Baseball players and college athletes reportedly having ADHD, compared to 5% of the general adult population in the U.S. The study concluded that ADHD symptoms and characteristics significantly influence athletes’ career choices and their ability to reach elite levels.<\/p>\n
This perspective, while exciting, may also be somewhat limited. For many individuals, the challenges posed by ADHD, compounded by a general lack of understanding, can hinder their participation in sports. Dr. Kasia Kostyrka-Allchorne, a developmental psychologist whose research encompasses sports participation and ADHD, highlights a contradiction: while there may be a notable presence of ADHD among elite athletes, there is an underrepresentation of those with the condition in recreational sports. \u201cIt can give people that drive and hyperfocus,\u201d she explains, \u201cbut it\u2019s also about having the right environment, something Adam Peaty has emphasized regarding his coaching support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neurodivergence can complicate integration into traditional coaching frameworks. Cricketer Benny Howell has shared how his ADHD led him to pursue unconventional paths within the sport, resulting in resistance and mockery from peers. The heightened sensitivity to perceived rejection that often accompanies ADHD can exacerbate the challenges of fitting into the inherently hierarchical and competitive nature of team environments. Brown, who has a background in county cricket and now plays county golf, recognizes how her condition influences not only her own experience but also how others perceive her. Her brain processes information rapidly, causing her to navigate the golf course quickly, diverging from the typical methodical approach of gauging distances and lining up shots. \u201cIt does look like I\u2019m not concentrating,\u201d she admits, noting that masking behaviors\u2014like mimicking social cues to blend in\u2014are particularly prevalent among women with ADHD. She has adapted her appearance on the greens, often crouching before taking a shot to project an image of increased focus.<\/p>\n
Brown and her colleagues take comfort in seeing high-profile athletes serve as inspirational figures for those with ADHD. However, they point out that it is often only after achieving significant success that athletes feel comfortable discussing their ADHD experiences. A mainstream narrative framing the condition as a superpower can be disheartening for those still grappling with their differences. \u201cIt\u2019s like, \u2018You don\u2019t know how much effort it took me to get out the door,\u2019\u201d Brown reflects. \u201cWe know there\u2019s a strong correlation between neurodiversity and mental illness, so our goal is to create safer sports environments rather than exacerbating existing risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the recent Winter Olympics, two members of the gold-winning U.S. women’s skating team shared their personal experiences with ADHD during the Games. Alysa Liu, who also claimed the singles title, remarked that her condition helped her to think on her feet, while Amber Glenn expressed that impulsive thoughts troubled her before competitions. This wide range of experiences underscores the necessity for a deeper understanding of ADHD among researchers, coaches, and teammates. \u201cPeople want to know how common ADHD is among athletes, but that\u2019s only part of the story,\u201d Brown concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kirsty Brown is an avid golfer who expresses a desire to simply teleport to the first tee, finding the logistics of arriving on time, remembering her equipment, and ensuring she has eaten beforehand to be much more daunting than the act of playing itself. As someone diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), she finds […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11102,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1332,569,88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-neurodiversity","category-uk-sport","category-uk"],"yoast_head":"\n