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In the pursuit of optimal recovery, the significance of sleep cannot be overstated for elite cyclists, including high-level cyclists within the junior category. This study aims to assess the sleep quality of elite athletes of different categories and disciplines, including junior. The sleep quality of 112 high-level cyclists (males n = 80; females n = 32) participating in endurance and sprint disciplines was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A noteworthy 41% of both elite and junior cyclists displayed poor sleep quality. No significant differences were observed between elite and junior cyclists in terms of sleep quality, but there was a medium effect size, indicating greater sleep efficiency in junior cyclists [0.36 (0.16, 0.53)]. Gender differences were found, with females exhibiting worse PSQI scores (males = 4.00 [2.25]; females 5.00 [3.00]; p = 0.035). Endurance cyclists spent more time in bed compared to cyclists from sprinting disciplines (8:30 [1.00] and 8:00 [1:03], respectively; p = 0.019). These findings reveal poor sleep habits, even among individuals classified as good sleepers by the PSQI, emphasizing the importance of preventing sleep disorders in cyclists. This study provides valuable insights into athlete sleep quality, encompassing various categories, genders, and cycling disciplines. In conclusion, elite cyclists demonstrate suboptimal sleep quality, suggesting the potential for interventions utilizing the PSQI. These findings advocate for the incorporation of sleep quality assessments into routine evaluations for athletes.
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Sports psychiatry is a young field of medicine and psychiatry that focuses on mental health among athletes, and sports and exercise within psychiatry and mental disorders. However, the development of sports psychiatry and its fields of activity vary from region to region and are not uniform yet. Sports psychiatry and the role of sports psychiatrists have also already been discussed in the field of sports and exercise medicine, and within medical teams in competitive and elite sports. A uniform definition on sports psychiatry, its fields of activity, sports psychiatrist, and the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (plus attitudes, eKSA+A) of the sports psychiatrist were developed as part of an International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) Summit, as well as First International Consensus Statement on Sports Psychiatry. Three fields of activity can be distinguished within sports psychiatry: (i) mental health and disorders in competitive and elite sports, (ii) sports and exercise in prevention of and treatment for mental disorders, and (iii) mental health and sport-specific mental disorders in recreational sports. Each of these fields have its own eKSA+A. The definitions on sports psychiatry and sports psychiatrists, as well as the framework of eKSA+A in the different fields of activity of sports psychiatrists will help to unify and standardize the future development of sports psychiatry, establish a standard of service within sports psychiatry and together with the neighboring disciplines, and should be included into current, and future sports psychiatry education and training.
Subject(s)
Psychiatry , Sports , Humans , Psychiatrists , Exercise , AthletesABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1116293.].
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INTRODUCTION: Injury prevention is important to reduce the high injury risk in youth elite athletes studying at sports high schools. Coaches are considered important in youth elite sports and injury prevention. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate perceptions and experiences of injury prevention among coaches at sports high schools. METHODS: A manifest qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used based on ten semi-structured interviews with coaches who work at sports high schools. RESULTS: An overarching theme "Coaches of youth athletes value injury prevention but have limited knowledge and support" was identified and five main categories were formed. Coaches perceived themselves to play an important role in injury prevention, yet they described limited time for knowledge acquisition and highlighted the close collaboration with other professions as a key in injury prevention. CONCLUSION: A coach's knowledge and support are critical factors in injury prevention of youth elite athletes. Evidence-based as well as non-evidence-based approaches are used, and the biopsychosocial perspective was not always taken into consideration. A need for more interprofessional collaboration and knowledge acquisition regarding injury prevention is warranted.
Subject(s)
Athletes , Sports , Humans , Adolescent , Athletes/psychology , Schools , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
We investigated the associations between Finnish top tier footballers' self-assessed leadership roles (task, motivational, social, external) and player-assessed head coach leadership behavior (supportiveness/emotional composure, negative activation) and leadership role in both practices and games. We also explored the player age- and gender-related differences. Online survey data were anonymously collected from 53 male and 91 female footballers. One player did not identify as male or female, and one chose not to answer the question. Spearman rank-order correlations revealed that players' self-assessed leadership roles correlated positively with their evaluation of their head coach's supportiveness/emotional composure and negatively with negative activation during practices and games. Independent samples T-tests showed that male footballers rated their head coaches lower on negative activation during games and practices and themselves higher on external leadership than female players. The youngest age group, aged 17-20, rated themselves also lower on external leadership than the three older groups.
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This conceptual analysis aims to challenge the state of high-performance sport by questioning the concept of specialization. To start, we offer a brief, but critical overview of what specialization currently entails. Then, shifting the paradigm, we suggest an expansion rather than a reduction of developmental possibilities once an athlete reaches the "top". Specifically, rather than athletes conforming to national standards imposed by governing bodies about what it means to be "elite", we suggest sport systems consider a person-environment fit approach to support ongoing development. Drawing on an ecological dynamics rationale and various socio-cultural theories, we explore how concepts such as affordances and perspectives can be harnessed to create a better "fit" between athletes' action capabilities and the opportunities within their broader environment. Our conception of specialization requires moving away from a definition of success based on the accumulation of medals, toward one that accounts for the exploration and achievement of the possible. We argue that a person-environment fit welcomes diversity, so long as it sustains the person's health, wellbeing, and performance. This, it is suggested, is about collectively holding open spaces for each other to explore beyond the constraints of high-performance sport, encouraging all to carry on their lives in directions meaningfully impactful for them. We conclude this conceptual analysis with a brief case example demonstrating what our theorizing could look like in practice.
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The aims of this systematic review were (1) to summarize the evidence on absolute velocity thresholds used to classify high-speed running and sprinting, (2) to examine the existing evidence about the individualized thresholds approach, (3) to describe high-speed and sprint running distance match demands, and (4) to provide training strategies for eliciting HSR and sprinting during training sessions in professional adult soccer. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After the authors' screening, 30 studies were included in this review. This review found that, to date, there is no consensus on the absolute thresholds defining high-speed and sprint running in adult soccer players. Until international standards are defined, it is reasonable to set absolute thresholds considering the range of values found in the literature collected in this review. Relative velocity thresholds could be considered for specific training sessions whose goal is to reach near maximal velocity exposure. During official matches, high-speed and sprint running distances ranged from 911 to 1,063â m and 223-307â m, respectively, in professional female soccer players, while ranges from 618 to 1,001â m and 153-295â m, respectively, in professional male soccer players. During training, game-based drills designed in formats using relative areas per player greater than 225â m2 and 300â m2 appear to be adequate for achieving high-speed running and sprinting exposure, respectively, for male players. The combination of game-based, running exercises and soccer circuit-based drills is advisable to ensure adequate high-speed and sprint running exposure both at a team and individual level.
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BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of a judoka's psychological readiness in relation to his ability to return to sport. At the present time, the relationship between physical and psychological readiness to return to sport has not been adequately elucidated. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. An online survey was distributed via social networks and the German Judo Association collecting data from competitive and recreational judo athletes. The survey collected data on participants' characteristics, history of injury, and psychological readiness to return to sport after injury as determined by either the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury Scale, the Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport after Injury Scale, or a modified version of the Return to Sport after Injury Scale depending on the respective type of injury. RESULTS: The study included 383 judo athletes (272 competitive judo athletes and 112 recreational judo athletes). Regardless of injury location, athletes who achieved return to sports (M = 70.67; SD = 16.47) had higher RSI scores than athletes that did not return to sports (M = 53.88; SD = 19.12; p < 0.0001). Male athletes (M = 65.60; SD = 19.34) did show significantly higher RSI scores than female athletes (M = 60.45; SD = 19.46). The RSI score differed for different time loss categories, F(7, 375) = 11.309, p < 0.001, η2 = .174 with decreasing RSI scores for longer time loss and lowest RSI scores in athletes, who never returned to sports. RSI scores of athletes with knee injuries differed from athletes with other injury locations (10.23, 95% CI [4.08, 16.38]). After adjusting for time loss due to injury, competitive athletes had higher RSI scores than competitive athletes (F (1, 382) = 7.250, p < 0.001, partial η2 = .02). Conservatively treated athletes (M = 66.58; SD = 18.54) had higher RSI scores than surgically treated athletes (M = 59.05; SD = 20.01; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the data of this study, type of injury, sport level, treatment method, and gender appear to influence psychological readiness on judoka and their ability to return to sport. The multiple factors that influence a judoka and their ability to return to sport argue for individualized treatment of judoka and their psychological state after injury in the return to sport process.
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BACKGROUND: The electrocardiogram (ECG) has become a mobile and cost-effective routine assessment tool to risk stratify leisure-time and professional athletes during preparticipation screening. A central goal is the reduction of sudden cardiac death in sports through early recognition of the most prevalent underlying cardiac pathologies, e.g., hereditary cardiomyopathies or primary arrhythmias. METHODS: Continuous evolution of the first ECG criteria for athletes, presented in 2010 by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), has helped to improve the specificity of the criteria to both detect cardiac pathologies in early stages and differentiate from physiologic adaptation of the athlete's heart. Thus, the risk of false-positive findings and erroneous stigmatizations of athletes has been successfully reduced. CONCLUSION: This review article intends to trace back the changes of the ECG criteria in the light of a growing body of scientific evidence over the last 15 years, to present the key messages of the current International ECG criteria from 2017 and to identify some of the remaining challenges that wait to be answered by physicians in the field of sports medicine and sports cardiology.
Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathies , Sports , Humans , Electrocardiography , Heart , Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis , Sports/physiology , Athletes , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control , Mass ScreeningABSTRACT
El presente trabajo explora los efectos que el confinamiento por COVID-19 tuvo en el colectivo de árbitros de élite españoles que fueron designados para la finalización de las competiciones de la temporada 2019-2020 de las máximas categorías de sus respectivos deportes: la liga de baloncesto ACB (N= 19) y las principales ligas de fútbol sala (N= 32), que se llevaron a cabo en régimen de concentración, tras levantarse las primeras medidas de aislamiento, durante la primera ola de la pandemia. Para conocer los efectos del confinamiento, los participantes respondieron un cuestionario ad hoc, y el cuestionario PANAS para conocer su estado de ánimo. Los resultados mostraron que los aspectos que el colectivo más echó en falta por el cese de la actividad deportiva fueron la competición, el arbitraje y los compañeros. Se hallaron diferencias significativas entre árbitros de ambos colectivos, siendo el tamaño del efecto de estas diferencias pequeño en la variable competición (r = 0.278) y medio en compañeros (r =0.446). Los aspectos que más les preocuparon fueron la salud de sus seres queridos y la economía global, encontrándose diferencias significativas y un tamaño del efecto medio entre árbitros de ambos deportes respecto a la salud de sus seres queridos (r = 0.44). Las competencias que esperaban tener más afectadas debido a la inactividad eran las físicas y las psicológicas,hallándose diferencias significativas entre ambos deportes y con un tamaño del efecto pequeño en las psicológicas (r = 0.44). Dentro de las competencias psicológicas, esperaban tener más afectadas la concentración y la toma de decisiones, hallándose diferencias significativas y un tamaño del efecto medio entre los árbitros de ambos deportes en cuanto a la toma de decisiones (r= 0.321). (AU)
This work explores the effects that lockdown by COVID-19 had on the group of elite Spanish referees who were selected to officiate the completion of the 2019-2020 season competitions of the highest categories of their respective sports: the ACB basketball league (N= 19) and the main futsal leagues (N= 32), which were carried out with all participants, athletes and referees, coming together in special health measures conditions, after lifting the first lockdown measures, during the first wave of the pandemic. To know the effects of the lockdown, respondents answered an ad hoc survey, and the PANAS scales to know their mood. The results showed that the aspects the group missed the most due to the cessation of sporting activity were competition, refereeing and teammates. Significant differences were found between referees of both groups, the effect size of these differences wassmall in the competition variable (r= 0.278) and medium in teammates (r= 0.446). The aspects that concerned them the most were their loved ones health and the global economy, finding significant differences and a medium effect size between referees of both sports regarding the health of their loved ones (r= 0.44). The competencies that they expected to be most affected by inactivity were physical and psychological, finding significant differences between both sports, with a small effect size in the psychological ones (r= 0.44). Among the psychological competences, they expected to be most affected concentration and decision making, finding significant differences and a medium effect size between the referees of both sports in terms of decision making (r= 0.321). (AU)
Este trabalho explora os efeitos que o confinamento devido ao COVID-19 teve sobre os árbitros de elite espanhóis que foram nomeados para arbitrar a conclusão das competições da temporada 2019-2020 das categorias mais altas de basquete: Liga ACB (N=19); e as principais ligas de futsal (N= 32), que foram realizadas em regime de confinamento, reunindo-se em condições especiais de medidas de saúde, após o levantamento das primeiras medidas de isolamento, durante a primeira onda da pandemia. Para conhecer os efeitos do confinamento, os participantes responderam a um questionário ad hoc, e ao questionário PANAS para conhecer seu estado de espírito. Os resultados mostraram que os aspectos que o grupo mais sentiu falta com a cessação da atividade esportivaforam competição, arbitragem e companheiros de equipe. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os árbitros de ambos os grupos, sendo o tamanho do efeito dessas diferenças pequeno na variável competição (r = 0.278) e médio nos pares (r = 0.446). Os aspectos que mais os preocupavam eram a saúde de seus entes queridos e a economia global, encontrando se diferenças significativas e um tamanho de efeito médio entre árbitros de ambos os esportes em relação à saúde de seus entes queridos (r = 0.44). As faculdades que esperavam ser mais afetadas pela inatividade eram físicas e psicológicas, encontrando diferenças significativas entre os dois esportes e com tamanho de efeito pequeno nos psicológicos (r = 0.44). Dentro das habilidades psicológicas, espera-se que seja mais afetado a concentração e tomada de decisão, encontrando diferenças significativas e um tamanho de efeito médio entre os árbitros de ambos os esportes em termos de tomada de decisão (r= 0.321). (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Pandemics , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/psychology , Athletes , Spain , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Sports participation and the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) have been a concern for decades. Few research efforts have been dedicated to clarify this issue for females, although they are considered at greater risk of developing OA than males. In contrast, several reviews have established an association between sports participation and OA for males. The aim of the systematic review was to assess the association between OA and participation in popular sports for females. PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched and yielded 578 articles. Nine eligible studies were included and covered ballet (age range: 19-54 years), running or tennis (age range: 40-65 years), Olympic sports (age range: not specified), volleyball (age range: 16.0 ± 0.8 to 46.8 ± 5.1 years), and cross-country skiing (age range: 15 to ≥60 years). For females, participating in sports at an elite level was associated with a higher risk of OA and an increased need for surgical treatment. At non-elite level, it was associated with a higher risk of OA, but it did not materialize to an increased risk for surgical treatment. Few studies compared females and males, and these studies suggested that sex did not affect the risk of developing OA from participating in sports. Nevertheless, to isolate the precise effect of sports participation on the development of OA remains difficult as injuries are common among athletes and are independently associated with an increased risk of OA.
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This study sought to detail and compare the in-ride nutritional practices of a group of professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes (T1D) under training and racing conditions. We observed seven male professional road cyclists with T1D (Age: 28 ± 4 years, HbA1c: 6.4 ± 0.4% [46 ± 4 mmol.mol-1], VO2max: 73.9 ± 4.3 ml.kg -1.min-1) during pre-season training and during a Union Cycliste Internationale multi-stage road cycling race (Tour of Slovenia). In-ride nutritional, interstitial glucose, and performance variables were quantified and compared between the two events. The in-ride energy intake was similar between training and racing conditions (p = 0.909), with carbohydrates being the major source of fuel in both events during exercise at a rate of 41.9 ± 6.8 g.h-1 and 45.4 ± 15.5 g.h-1 (p = 0.548), respectively. Protein consumption was higher during training (2.6 ± 0.6 g.h-1) than race rides (1.9 ± 0.9 g.h-1; p = 0.051). A similar amount of time was spent within the euglycaemic range (≥70-≤180 mg.dL-1): training 77.1 ± 32.8% vs racing 73.4 ± 3.9%; p = 0.818. These data provide new information on the in-ride nutritional intake in professional cyclists with T1D during different stages of the competitive season.
Subject(s)
Bicycling , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Adult , Dietary Carbohydrates , Eating , Dietary Proteins , GlucoseABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Within the topic of intersex athletes in elite sports, science has become a decisive factor in decision- and policy-making. However, in the academic literature approaches to this topic vary. An overview of these approaches is proposed to provide better insight into relevant aspects and underlying values and may serve as a starting point on the path toward a solid solution of the question of categorization of intersex athletes in elite sporting competition. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to discover how the topic of intersex elite athletes is positioned in the academic literature from January 2000 to July 2022 from a neutral perspective. METHODS: A comprehensive search in eleven databases using the search terms [intersex* and sport*] yielded 87 articles. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to find all authors' statements including perspectives on intersex athletes and proposals for solutions. Underlying values were extracted and connected to each other during axial coding. RESULTS: The results provide an overview of the sometimes-contradictory perspectives toward intersex elite athletes and proposals for solutions. Three core values were distilled: social justice for intersex elite athletes, competition fairness, and evidence-based practice. The authors' statements disclose an interaction/conflict between social justice and competition fairness. CONCLUSIONS: The results raise an important discussion on the role of science within the topic of intersex elite athletes. A multidisciplinary approach including scientists and other experts is suggested to find an appropriate solution. Additionally, more awareness on intersex variations is needed for a better overall understanding and to ensure a respectful approach for everyone involved.
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The aim of this study was to determine the impact of runs 1 and 2 on overall rank in Giant Slalom. Data from 15 seasons (2005/2006-2019/2020) including and unique starts for women (n = 2,294) and men (n = 2,328) were analyzed. Skiers were grouped based on final ranks 1-3 (G3), 4-10 (G10), and 11-20 (G20) and separately analyzed for women and men. A Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used for comparisons between runs 1 and 2, while a multi-nominal logistic regression was used to identify odds ratios (OR) associated with group rank. Women had similar run times for runs 1 and 2 (p = 0.734), while men had faster times on run 2 (p < 0.001). The strongest association to G3 was during run 1 for run time (men: OR 1.06-1.12; women: OR 1.06-1.11, all p < 0.01) and gate-to-gate times (men: OR 33-475; women: OR 81-2,301, all p < 0.001). Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of a fast first run for improving the final ranking group and the need to increase the tempo going from the first to the second run for men.
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This paper explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in elite sports. We approach the topic from two perspectives. Firstly, we provide a literature based overview of AI success stories in areas other than sports. We identified multiple approaches in the area of Machine Perception, Machine Learning and Modeling, Planning and Optimization as well as Interaction and Intervention, holding a potential for improving training and competition. Secondly, we discover the present status of AI use in elite sports. Therefore, in addition to another literature review, we interviewed leading sports scientist, which are closely connected to the main national service institute for elite sports in their countries. The analysis of this literature review and the interviews show that the most activity is carried out in the methodical categories of signal and image processing. However, projects in the field of modeling & planning have become increasingly popular within the last years. Based on these two perspectives, we extract deficits, issues and opportunities and summarize them in six key challenges faced by the sports analytics community. These challenges include data collection, controllability of an AI by the practitioners and explainability of AI results.
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Sports psychiatry and psychotherapy is a relatively young field and is comprised of two key segments: the special features of the diagnostics and therapy of mental disorders in elite athletes and the use of exercise and sports in the development and treatment of mental disorders. Although all mental disorders can in principle also occur in (elite) athletes, there are additionally sport-specific mental disorders, such as anorexia athletica and other eating disorders, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, misuse of and dependency on performance-enhancing substances (doping) and muscle dysmorphia. Many high-quality clinical trials over the past two decades have been able to demonstrate a therapeutic efficacy of physical activity and sport in the treatment of various mental disorders. All clinicians active in psychiatry and psychotherapy should possess a basic knowledge of sports psychiatry.
Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders , Psychiatry , Sports , Athletes , Humans , PsychotherapyABSTRACT
The longitudinal and multidisciplinary research project Malmö Youth Sport Study measured the sports results achieved by two cohorts of pupils using a variable named ACHIEVE, dividing the pupils into three categories (an elite group competing at the national or international level, a group competing at the district level, and a third group either not competing at all or below district level). This was assessed three and six years after baseline at age 13. An additional hypothetical measure, based on information from the athletes' trainers, predicted the category the pupils were expected to belong to after twelve years (age 25). Social variables related to the ACHIEVE variable are sex, socio-economic position of the parents, ethnicity, completed secondary sports school, sports capital, and quartile of birth. After three years, 28% of the pupils belonged to the elite group and after six years, 26%. Thirty-two and 48%, respectively, had abandoned their elite efforts. The elite group remained fairly stable over time but fewer girls than boys advanced to the elite group. The pupils at the school have a homogenous middle-class background. We found little evidence that socio-economic factors affected ACHIEVE. Nearly all parents had been engaged in sports, either competing or as coaches. On admission to the school, there was a pronounced relative age effect (RAE). This remained after three years as the age was significantly different between the three groups but was reduced after six years. According to the prognosis made by the coaches, the elite group would be considerably smaller when the subjects reached the age of 25. The RAE was again significant in the prognosis. A further follow-up when the subjects are 25 years old will reveal not only what proportion of subjects are actively competing, but also if they are engaged in recreational sports, to what extent the RAE is present, and how accurately coaches can predict success.
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In judo, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is the most severe injury an athlete could experience. Most ACL ruptures occur when defending against an osoto-gari attack. This study aims to identify ACL risk factors during osoto-gari defence and implement a modified osoto-gari defence reaction, which is assumed to improve myoelectric patterns and ameliorate critical biomechanical risk factors for ACL injuries. Twenty-six elite judokas were enrolled in the cross-over trial (female: 6; male: 20). 3D kinematics and force dynamometrics were combined with electromyographical recordings to assess the effects of the common and the modified osoto-gari defence reaction. Compared to the common osoto-gari defence reaction (maximal knee flexion: 29 ± 12°; maximal valgus: 10 ± 5°; maximal valgus moment: 58 ± 17 Nm; peak internal rotation: 9 ± 5°), the modified osoto-gari defence reaction showed significantly reduced knee angles (31 ± 10° p < 0.05; 1 ± 0° p < 0.05; 31 ± 9 Nm p < 0.05; 3 ± 0° p < 0.05). The myoelectric activity of the hamstring increased (+5±% to +27±%, p < 0.05) in the modified compared to common defence reaction. The modified osoto-gari defence reaction reduced critical biomechanical risk factors and increased hamstring myoelectric activity. We recommend the implementation of the modified osoto-gari defence reaction in judo practice and seek to evaluate its long-term effectiveness in decreasing ACL injury incidences in elite judo.
Subject(s)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries , Martial Arts , Biomechanical Phenomena , Cross-Over Studies , Female , Humans , Knee Joint , Male , Martial Arts/injuries , Range of Motion, Articular , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
This study evaluated the validity and utility of antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for SARS-CoV-2 in elite sports. The data on utility, ease of use and application for Ag-RDTs as a new testing format were positive from players and staff. This evaluation was limited by the low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 circulating within the three squads. This study highlights the need for continued service evaluations for SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDTs in elite sport settings.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Antigens, Viral , Humans , Male , Pandemics , Rugby , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
The current study investigates the possibility that athletes have more parallel ADHD symptoms than non-athletes. High-level youth sport athletes were compared with non-athletes in leisure time (i.e., sport) and in the school in ADHD symptoms. Athletes and students were evaluated by a trained psychotherapist using Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) on activities at school and during activities in leisure/sports time. They also filled in the Autism Spectrum Questionnaire (AQ) as a self-report assessment. Results showed significant differences in ASRS-scores for athletes in school and in their sport, with high scores in school and low scores in sport. No differences were found in AQ between the groups. The findings indicate that many athletes might display a cognitive profile of parallel of ADHD criteria. Future research needs to further investigate potential benefits of the cognitive profile in athletes and how they handle different contexts including sport and school settings.