The Effect of Pharmacological Treatment for ADHD on Physical Performance in Male Adolescents

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of stimulant ADHD pharmacotherapy on motor performance in male adolescents.

Detailed Description
-----------------
This study is designed as a single-center, crossover, randomized study. 70 high-school aged males aged between 15 and 18 years with a diagnosis of ADHD who are being treated pharmacologically using stimulants (such as Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse etc) will be recruited. The study will investigate motor performance using several motor function tests both with and without the influence of stimulant ADHD medications. Participants will be assessed on two separate occasions, both sessions will occur during the morning in their regular school environment. During the sessions, participants will be randomized, 50% will be assessed one hour after taking their usual stimulant ADHD medication and the other 50% will be asked to postpone taking their usual stimulant ADHD medication until the session is finished. During the two separate sessions, all participants will be asked to perform the following motor tests: plank, single leg stance test, standing long jump test (broad jump), 4 x 10 agility tests and 20 m shuttle run tests (beeps).

Official Title
-----------------
The Effect of Pharmacological Treatment for ADHD on Physical Performance in Male Adolescents

Conditions
-----------------
ADHD

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Motor performance tests


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: High school male students Diagnosis of ADHD Treatment with prescribed stimulants for ADHD (e.g. Concerta, Ritalin, Phenidin, Focalin etc.). Exclusion Criteria: Students with concomitant chronic disease (including asthma, cardiac, motor, neurological and gastrointestinal disturbances) History of acute illness in the previous two weeks Any injuries that would inhibit the ability to exercise or play sport Students unable to obtain parental/guardian consent Students unwilling to participate

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Medicated<br>Assessment of motor function will be performed 1 hour after taking the usual stimulant ADHD medication. | Other: Motor performance tests<br>* Performance of 5 motor tests: plank, single leg stance test, standing long jump test (broad jump), 4 x 10 agility test and 20 m shuttle run tests (beeps), after taking ADHD drug or not taking the drug before motor tests performance<br>|
| Unmedicated<br>Participants will remain unmedicated for the duration of the assessment, and will delay taking their usual stimulant ADHD medication until all the motor function assessments are completed. | Other: Motor performance tests<br>* Performance of 5 motor tests: plank, single leg stance test, standing long jump test (broad jump), 4 x 10 agility test and 20 m shuttle run tests (beeps), after taking ADHD drug or not taking the drug before motor tests performance<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Motor tests | Plank | 5 minutes | 
| Motor tests | Single leg stance test | 5 minutes | 
| Motor tests | Standing long jump test (broad jump) | 5 minutes | 
| Motor tests | 4 x 10 agility tests | 5 minutes | 
| Motor tests | 20 m shuttle run tests (beeps) | 5 minutes | 
| AAC-Q questionnaire | Adolescents and Adults Coordination Questionnaire | 10 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heart rate at rest | Heart rate will be measured in a sitting position | 5 minutes | 
| Blood pressure at rest | Blood pressure will be measured in a sitting position | 5 minutes |