Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Determinants of Exercise in Adults with ADHD Symptoms

Abstract Autonomous/intrinsic exercise motivation has been found to be negatively linked with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology, but it is unclear how this might be expressed in terms of different determinants of exercise (barriers/facilitators) to Physical Exercise (PE). Additionally, ADHD symptomatology has been found to be linked with increased Exercise Dependence (ED) risk, meaning the relationship between these determinants of exercise and ED should also be considered. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between PE, ADHD symptoms, barriers/determinants of exercise, and ED. 362 participants (77.07% female) completed an online survey measuring: PE level (IPAQ-L); ADHD symptomatology (ADHD-RS-IV); subclinical ADHD diagnosis (ADHD-RS-IV); ED (EDS-R) and determinants of exercise (DPAQ). Significant differences were found in the levels of barriers to PE (Coping Planning; Emotion; Beliefs about Capabilities; and Motivation) between subclinical and Non-ADHD participants, with subclinical ADHD participants experiencing more. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between determinants of exercise and ED (Motivation; Beliefs about Capabilities; Skills; Emotion; Action Planning; Coping Planning; Goal Conflict; Social). Subclinical ADHD diagnosis did not significantly moderate the relationship between any of the determinants of exercise and PE level. These findings suggest that individuals with subclinical ADHD experience greater levels of certain barriers to exercise, which may need to be overcome or targeted in any potential PE based intervention. However, since some of these barriers were linked with ED risk, caution should be exercised to avoid increasing ED rates further.