Sport Psychologist's Guide: Why ADHD Athletes Excel Even After Losing Games
- Dr Paul McCarthy
- 9 hours ago
- 12 min read
Did you know that up to 11 percent of US children have ADHD, and surprisingly, as many as one in five elite athletes may have the condition? As a sport psychologist, I've observed how ADHD and losing games interact in complex ways that often challenge conventional wisdom. ADHD is diagnosed approximately two times more in boys than in girls, yet many athletes with this condition demonstrate remarkable resilience following defeats.
When examining ADHD and sports performance, I've found that certain traits actually become competitive advantages. For instance, famous footballers with ADHD often excel because "when an ADHD athlete is interested in something, they are 10 steps ahead of the neurotypical brain". Exercise benefits children with ADHD by increasing dopamine and noradrenaline production, which helps increase attention and ease symptoms like hyperactivity. Additionally, legendary athletes such as Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps reached the pinnacle of their sports partly due to their ability to hyperfocus on their passion.
Although footballers with ADHD might struggle with "staying focused during periods of inactivity", their quick-thinking and energetic nature can significantly contribute to their success.
How ADHD Traits Show Up in Competitive Sports
ADHD manifests uniquely in sports environments, often creating distinctive patterns of behavior that coaches and parents should recognize. While some traits create challenges, others can become unexpected strengths on the playing field.
Short attention span during low-stimulus moments
Athletes with ADHD frequently struggle with attention during less exciting moments of practice or competition. This challenge stems directly from how ADHD affects brain function, particularly impairing attention and concentration abilities [1]. Research reveals that participation in sports requires individuals to be attentive, organized, and calm - skills naturally lacking in children with attention deficits [1].
On the field, this presents as:
Difficulty following directions from coaches
Appearing to "space out" during conversations
Struggling with concentration during repetitive drills
Losing focus between active play moments
Nevertheless, these same athletes often demonstrate remarkable "hyperfocus" during high-intensity moments. Many children with ADHD can intensely focus on enjoyable activities without being distracted by regular life activities [2]. This explains why footballers with ADHD might struggle during team meetings or downtime but excel when the action intensifies.
Impulsivity in high-pressure decisions
The impulsive nature of ADHD creates both challenges and advantages in competitive environments. Athletes might interrupt coaches, struggle to wait their turn, or appear to ignore rules [1]. Furthermore, this impulsivity often manifests as spontaneity and quick decision-making [1].
In high-pressure situations, this trait transforms into:
Making split-second decisions without overthinking
Creative problem-solving under pressure
Unexpected strategic innovations
Consequently, some athletes with ADHD naturally excel in sports like baseball and basketball, which involve quick movements and reactive decision-making [2]. The impulsivity often viewed as problematic in classroom settings becomes advantageous when split-second reactions determine success.
Emotional swings after mistakes or losses
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of ADHD in sports involves emotional regulation. Research indicates 70-80% of children with ADHD experience atypical emotion regulation [1]. This impacts how they process and respond to mistakes, criticism, and losses.
Common emotional patterns include:
Intense reactions disproportionate to minor mistakes
Difficulty calming down after frustrating moments
Excessive worry about performance errors
Heightened sensitivity to criticism from coaches
According to studies, about 30% of kids with ADHD experience severe anger and tantrum problems, often alongside elevated anxiety [1]. Meanwhile, research suggests that up to 99% of teens and adults with ADHD are more sensitive than usual to rejection, with nearly one-third reporting it as the hardest part of living with the condition [1].
The emotional component particularly affects performance after losses or mistakes. While an athlete without ADHD might quickly process disappointment and move forward, those with ADHD often experience more intense and lingering emotional responses. Their limbic system - which regulates emotions and attention - functions differently, creating what observers describe as going "from 0 to 100 real quick" [1].
Understanding these patterns helps coaches develop effective strategies for supporting players through difficult moments, particularly following losses or performance disappointments.
Why ADHD Athletes Struggle Differently After Losing
Losing is part of sports, yet for athletes with ADHD, defeat triggers unique psychological responses that can make post-game recovery especially challenging. The distinct neurological makeup of these athletes creates a vastly different experience when processing competitive setbacks.
Delayed emotional regulation in post-game reactions
Unlike their neurotypical peers, ADHD athletes often experience prolonged emotional reactions following defeats. Research indicates that 70-80% of children with ADHD have atypical emotion regulation [1], making it difficult to move past negative game outcomes. Their limbic system—responsible for regulating emotions and attention—functions differently, resulting in emotional responses that may seem disproportionate to the situation [1].
These athletes typically exhibit:
Intense emotional reactions that linger long after games end
Difficulty transitioning between emotional states
Sudden mood swings that appear unpredictable to coaches and teammates
Challenges in self-regulating frustration about performance errors
Indeed, when something like a minor mistake occurs, ADHD athletes can become flooded with emotions due to impaired ability to recognize their own feelings and adjust them appropriately [1]. Moreover, they have a narrower window to reason and process their reactions compared to non-ADHD athletes [1]. This explains why approximately 30% of young athletes with ADHD experience severe anger and tantrum problems, often alongside elevated moodiness and anxiety [1].
Fear of letting others down and performance anxiety
ADHD athletes carry a heightened sensitivity to criticism and rejection that intensifies performance anxiety after losses. Research reveals that up to 99% of teens and adults with ADHD are more sensitive than usual to rejection, with nearly one in three reporting it as the most difficult aspect of living with ADHD [1].
For footballers with ADHD, this sensitivity creates unique pressure. Unlike neurotypical athletes who might compartmentalize coach feedback, ADHD athletes often dwell on their mistakes and become quite hard on themselves [1]. This perfectionism stems from repeated negative experiences with ADHD symptoms—emotional reactivity, indecisiveness, impulsivity, and distractibility—that shape their athletic mindset [1].
Specifically, student-athletes with ADHD and a history of concussion face even greater mental health challenges, with 16.4 times higher odds of exhibiting clinically significant symptoms of state anxiety and 7.9 times greater odds of showing clinically significant symptoms of depression compared to control athletes [3].
Difficulty processing feedback after failure
Perhaps the most significant post-loss challenge involves how ADHD athletes process corrective feedback. Their executive functioning deficits affect their ability to self-regulate, potentially leading to impairments in behavior inhibition, planning, working memory, and cognitive-processing speed [4].
Essentially, after a loss, these athletes struggle with what coaches call "low frustration tolerance" [5]. Since performance gains in sports rarely follow a linear trajectory, ADHD athletes find it particularly difficult to "trust the process" when progress isn't immediately evident [5]. Their ADHD brains sometimes consider routines boring or overwhelming, requiring weeks for a routine to become second nature—pushing their patience beyond manageable limits [1].
Hence, coaches must recognize that neurodivergent athletes aren't trying to be difficult; they're often putting in extra effort just to keep up [4]. Without proper tools and support, activities for children with ADHD—including sports participation—can become just another arena where they feel rejected, dismissed, and inadequate [1], despite the fact that sports participation can significantly improve their social deficits, mood, and motivation levels [5] when managed appropriately.
The Science Behind Why They Still Excel
The neurological foundations of ADHD create unique advantages that explain why many athletes with this condition excel in competitive sports, even after experiencing losses. The brain differences that present challenges in some settings become powerful assets on the playing field, backed by fascinating science.
Hyperfocus during high-stakes moments
Hyper focusing occurs most powerfully in goal-oriented situations where the individual receives immediate feedback from activities in progress [1]. This intense concentration ability allows athletes to shut out irrelevant information and distractions. Rather than being a weakness, this "hyperfocus" trait often becomes crucial for high athletic performance [1].
The "hyperfocus" traits in elite athletes with ADHD effectively block out distractions during practice and competition [2]. This natural ability serves them exceptionally well during high-pressure situations where maintaining intense concentration amidst chaos determines success or failure. Many children with ADHD report an ability to "hyperfocus" on enjoyable sporting activities without being distracted by regular life activities [1].
For footballers with ADHD, this typically manifests as extraordinary concentration during critical game moments. Their brains filter out crowd noise, opposing team intimidation, and even past mistakes. Therefore, after losing games, these athletes can often mentally reset more completely than their teammates might expect, focusing entirely on the next challenge.
Dopamine release through physical activity
Physical activity creates a significant neurochemical advantage for athletes with ADHD. Exercise increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are precisely the neurotransmitters deficient in children and adolescents with ADHD [1]. This natural "medication effect" helps explain why many individuals with ADHD gravitate toward sports.
The brain benefits are substantial:
Exercise tempers ADHD by increasing neurotransmitter levels that regulate the attention system [6]
Physical activity raises baseline levels of dopamine and norepinephrine by spurring the growth of new receptors in key brain areas [6]
Regular exercise improves the tone of the locus coeruleus, reducing irritability and disproportionate reactions [6]
As well as balancing neurotransmitters, exercise positively affects the limbic system by helping regulate the amygdala [6]. This results in blunting the hair-trigger responsiveness many people with ADHD experience, which is particularly valuable following disappointing performances or losses.
Quick decision-making as a competitive edge
The natural impulsivity that ADHD athletes possess often provides a distinct advantage in sports that require quick decision-making and problem-solving [1]. This seemingly problematic trait transforms into spontaneity and creativity during competitions.
Studies suggest many athletes with ADHD naturally excel in sports like baseball and basketball, which involve quick movements and reactive decision-making [2]. This stems from their inherent impulsivity - a trait that becomes advantageous when split-second reactions determine success.
The prefrontal cortex, critical for controlling impulses and attention, benefits from exercise. Walking as few as three days weekly for six months has been shown to increase prefrontal cortex volume [6]. In addition, norepinephrine improves signal quality of synaptic transmission, while dopamine decreases neural "static," preventing the processing of irrelevant signals [6].
This neurological advantage makes ADHD athletes particularly resilient after losses. Where others might overthink or become tentative following defeats, they often maintain their natural decisiveness and risk-taking abilities, unencumbered by excessive analysis or fear.
Real-World Examples of ADHD Athletes Succeeding
Several athletes showcase how ADHD traits transform into competitive advantages, turning potential challenges into remarkable success stories even after facing defeats.
Michael Phelps: ADHD and swimming discipline
Diagnosed with ADHD at nine years old, Michael Phelps initially struggled with concentration and classroom focus. His mother Debbie discovered that swimming provided much-needed structure and discipline. At age seven, Phelps disliked getting his face wet, so his mother creatively "flipped him over and taught him the backstroke" [7]. This adaptation began his extraordinary journey.
By sixth grade, Phelps made a critical decision to stop taking ADHD medication. Instead, his "busy schedule of practices and meets imposed so much structure on his life that he was able to stay focused without medication" [7]. This decision proved successful as Phelps later explained, "I could go fast in the pool, it turned out, in part because being in the pool slowed down my mind. In the water, I felt, for the first time, in control" [8].
This structured environment led to unprecedented achievement—28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold [7].
Molly Seidel: Running as mental clarity
Conversely, Olympic marathon bronze medalist Molly Seidel received her ADHD diagnosis much later in life—February 2022 [9]. Before diagnosis, "running was essentially how she self-managed her ADHD" [9].
Seidel's ADHD manifested differently than typical cases. "The disorder commonly presents itself in women as high-achieving perfectionism, not outbursts" [9]. Her hyperactivity channeled into running: "It helped her focus, and she was only able to complete her homework after workouts" [9].
Currently, Seidel manages her condition primarily through "talk therapy, various somatic therapies, and a consistent meditation practice" [9] rather than medication. She operates at "a very high-strung, very over-stimulated level" and uses "breathing and calming techniques...multiple times a day" [10].
Famous footballers with ADHD: Case references
Firstly, Claire Rafferty, former Chelsea and England defender, transformed ADHD symptoms into competitive advantages. "Her hyperactivity and boundless energy...became her assets on the field" [11].
Likewise, Jermaine Pennant's "speed, agility, and creativity on the wing" at clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool derived partly from his ADHD traits [11].
From the sidelines, Emma Hayes has led Chelsea Women to "multiple FA Cup wins and five WSL titles" [11], with her ADHD contributing to "her dynamic and energetic approach to coaching" and ability to "analyze games in great detail" [11].
Reportedly, Lionel Messi, widely considered one of soccer's greatest players, has ADHD, though he hasn't officially confirmed this [11].
How Coaches and Parents Can Support Post-Loss Recovery
Supporting athletes with ADHD after losses requires a thoughtful approach that differs from conventional coaching wisdom. My experience shows proper post-game strategies make all the difference between continued growth versus discouragement.
Avoiding overcorrection and emotional punishment
After defeats, coaches must resist the urge to overanalyze or criticize. Children with ADHD find it exceptionally hard to handle losing [12]. Humiliation or punishment (like running extra laps for mistakes) never works with ADHD athletes [13]. Instead, give players space to express genuine emotions first - crying after losing represents a realistic expression of feeling [12]. Avoid saying "it doesn't matter" when clearly it matters tremendously to them [12].
Using visual cues and one-task instructions
ADHD brains process information differently, particularly after emotional events. Writing exercises on notecards or tongue depressors helps athletes focus on one task at a time rather than overwhelming them with complete flowsheets [14]. Simultaneously, feedback must be specific, direct, and concise - not metaphorical or longwinded [14]. Breaking instructions into bite-sized pieces ("First, focus on your toss. Then, pay attention to your arm swing") dramatically improves comprehension [14].
Reinforcing effort over outcome
Ultimately, emphasize that winning or losing remains a team responsibility [13]. Point out something positive from the game with specific phrases:
"Great effort and improvement. Keep working hard."
"That was tough to lose, but your defense improved." [12]
Positive reinforcement focusing on effort rather than outcome builds lasting confidence [15].
Conclusion
The relationship between ADHD and athletic performance reveals a fascinating paradox. Though ADHD athletes face unique challenges after losses—including delayed emotional regulation and heightened sensitivity to criticism—these same neurological differences often become their greatest strengths. Their ability to hyperfocus during critical moments, benefit from exercise-induced dopamine release, and make split-second decisions provides remarkable resilience.
Throughout my years as a sport psychologist, I've witnessed countless ADHD athletes transform apparent disadvantages into competitive edges. Michael Phelps found structure and focus in swimming that medication alone couldn't provide. Likewise, Molly Seidel harnessed running to manage her ADHD symptoms before formal diagnosis. These success stories demonstrate how sports participation offers far more than just physical benefits for athletes with attention differences.
Parents and coaches play a crucial role in this process. Simple adjustments—avoiding emotional punishment, providing clear visual instructions, and emphasizing effort over outcome—create environments where ADHD athletes thrive. These supportive approaches help athletes bounce back after defeats while building lasting confidence.
ADHD undoubtedly presents challenges in sports settings. Still, many athletes with this condition excel precisely because of their unique neurological wiring, not despite it. Their resilience after losses stems from neurochemical advantages and innate strengths that conventional coaching wisdom sometimes overlooks. My experience shows that understanding these differences allows us to better support and develop the remarkable potential that lies within every ADHD athlete.
FAQs
Q1. How does ADHD affect an athlete's performance in sports? ADHD can present both challenges and advantages in sports. While it may cause difficulties with focus during low-stimulus moments, it can also lead to hyperfocus during high-stakes situations. Athletes with ADHD often excel in quick decision-making and demonstrate remarkable resilience, especially in sports requiring fast reactions and creative problem-solving.
Q2. Can athletes with ADHD be successful in their sports careers? Absolutely. Many athletes with ADHD have achieved great success in their sports careers. Their unique neurological wiring often provides them with advantages such as hyperfocus, quick decision-making, and high energy levels. With proper support and strategies, athletes with ADHD can harness their traits to excel in competitive environments.
Q3. How do ADHD athletes typically react to losing games? ADHD athletes often experience more intense and prolonged emotional reactions after losses. They may struggle with delayed emotional regulation, fear of letting others down, and difficulty processing feedback. However, their ability to reset mentally and focus on the next challenge can also be an advantage in bouncing back from defeats.
Q4. What strategies can coaches use to support ADHD athletes after a loss? Coaches should avoid overcorrection and emotional punishment. Instead, they should use visual cues and one-task instructions to help athletes focus. It's crucial to reinforce effort over outcome, provide specific and concise feedback, and allow space for athletes to express their emotions. Breaking instructions into manageable pieces can also greatly improve comprehension.
Q5. Are there any famous athletes with ADHD who have achieved success? Yes, several renowned athletes with ADHD have achieved remarkable success. Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer with 28 medals, used swimming to provide structure and focus. Molly Seidel, an Olympic marathon bronze medalist, used running to self-manage her ADHD. In football, players like Claire Rafferty and Jermaine Pennant have transformed their ADHD traits into competitive advantages on the field.
References
[1] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8151350/[2] - https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/whats-up-with-athletes-and-adhd/[3] - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37665895/[4] - https://www.emmalapierresw.com/post/adhd-athletes[5] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4060024/[6] - https://www.additudemag.com/the-adhd-exercise-solution/[7] - https://www.additudemag.com/michael-phelps-adhd-advice-from-the-olympians-mom/?srsltid=AfmBOorXc5GZy9fI7eyo0Y5g2o16xBkfKtefWDUTS2liVJyTEG_X6DwV[8] - https://www.understood.org/en/articles/celebrity-spotlight-how-michael-phelps-adhd-helped-him-make-olympic-history[9] - https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a43728461/molly-seidel-manages-adhd-ocd/[10] - https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-in-athletes-molly-seidel-self-care/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsYydjpRU_W8d7bco4hftH7Tc0J6XJW7xR8XZSQH9Z9GLkAzeD[11] - https://www.getdopa.com/blogs/news/footballers-with-adhd-on-their-side?srsltid=AfmBOopeHSnC5WPWY10EISfoH_BQvwD6z2oj4NFS-2PREV5IBPwL_VN3[12] - https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/coaching-and-parenting-young-athletes/201405/how-deal-the-agony-defeat[13] - https://www.additudemag.com/how-to-coach-the-coach/?srsltid=AfmBOor_zcsNHEyNzuQxrXvTjjksx8FWVk8dNVV_4KVHgyPwiYsx0zD5[14] - https://www.danmickle.com/from-nod-to-action-strategies-for-adhd-athletes/[15] - https://adhdcertify.co.uk/adhd-in-sports-advantages/
