ADHD and desire-goal conflict during endurance exercise

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with deficits in goal-directed behaviour. However, exercise has been shown to reduce the neuropathology associated with this deficit. This study extends self-regulation research by investigating how levels of ADHD symptoms affect desire-goal conflict during endurance exercise. A student community sample of 37 (24 men and 13 women) participants aged 20 to 27 were recruited. Participants reported their current ADHD symptoms before completing a maximal exercise task of increasing intensity on a cycle ergometer; participants began cycling at an intensity of 100W, which was increased by 25W every 150 seconds until failure. At each intensity, participants’ desire-goal conflict was assessed through by asking them questions of their desires-to-stop and how much they valued their given goal of persisting for as long as possible. Multilevel models showed no between-participant differences in desires-to-stop during exercise. VO2 max scores were the only significant predictors of participants’ goal values, having a positive association. These results suggest that during exercise, any effects of ADHD symptoms on self-regulation are minimised. Future research could strengthen these conclusions by comparing effects of ADHD symptoms on desire-goal conflict during aversive exercise and non-exercise tasks.