Abstract
BackgroundSome physically active people exercise compulsively, which can be associated with several mental health challenges. Fitness instructors are considered important role models for an active, healthy lifestyle; yet little is known about their exercise motives and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of compulsive exercise and mental health challenges, and their interaction, in fitness instructors.MethodsA total of 270 fitness instructors from Norwegian fitness clubs were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria were operating as instructors within the current year and understanding Norwegian language. Data were collected by an electronic questionnaire and included demographic information, hours of classes instructed and of personal physical activity, Compulsive Exercise Test (CET), Symptom Check List – 10 (SCL-10), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)).ResultsFemales had higher CET scores than males, and 9% of all respondents had CET score above clinical cutoff. Respondents with clinical CET score had higher SCL-10, BDI and EDE-Q global- and subscale scores compared with their counterparts. Although CET was positively and significantly associated with BDI, SCL-10, and EDE-Q, only the latter explained the CET score (ß = 1.23, 99% CI = 0.87, 1.59).ConclusionAbout one out of eleven instructors were above clinical CET cut-off, revealing symptoms of compulsive exercise. EDE-Q significantly contributed in a model explaining 43% of the variation of compulsive exercise.
Highlights
Some physically active people exercise compulsively, which can be associated with several mental health challenges
Physical activity may be driven by compulsive thoughts, which can be associated with mental health issues and psychosocial impairment
Previous findings report on a significant frequency of symptoms of eating disorders in fitness instructors, and as such it is reasonable to assume that compulsive exercise (CE) is present
Summary
Some physically active people exercise compulsively, which can be associated with several mental health challenges. Fitness instructors (group training instructors and personal trainers) are exercise professionals considered as important facilitators for adaptation and maintenance of a healthy and physically active lifestyle in fitness club members [1,2,3] Contrasting to this important role as healthy ideals and motivators, previous studies have found prevalence of 17 to 59% of eating disorders or disordered eating behavior among fitness instructors [4, 5]. Such unhealthy behavior has been associated with high exercise load [6] and compulsive exercise [4] and call for concern. There is a knowledge gap regarding the contribution of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in explaining the compulsive exercise
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