Abstract
BackgroundExercise addiction is increasingly being recognized as a psychologically and physically burdensome set of symptoms. However, little is known about the psychiatric profiles of individuals who are at risk. It is well-established that individuals affected by substance use disorders frequently suffer from depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and experiences of childhood trauma. The aim of this study is to determine whether this pattern of psychiatric disturbance is also present in individuals at risk for exercise addiction.MethodsIndividuals exercising for 10+ h/week were divided into those at risk and not at risk for exercise addiction based on their scores on the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS). Demographic data and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a measure for ADHD in adults and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were also gathered.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-three individuals agreed to participate in the study, and completed the questionnaires. Twenty-nine (23.6%) of these individuals were classed as at risk for exercise addiction. There was a statistically significant difference between the at-risk and not at-risk groups on the combined dependent variable after controlling for hours of exercise per week, F(3, 95)= 10.198, p = 0.00, Wilk's Λ = 0.756, partial η2 = 0.244. Compared to those not at risk, individuals at risk for exercise addiction had significantly higher scores for symptoms of depression [t(121) = 4.944, p = 0.000], ADHD [t(121) = 2.915, p = 0.004], and childhood trauma [t(121) = 2.297, p = 0.024].ConclusionOur results suggest that exercise addiction may be accompanied by a disturbed psychiatric profile consistent with other addictive disorders. Clinical interviewing in individuals at risk for exercise addiction is a valuable and worthwhile next step in characterizing this phenomenon.
Highlights
Exercise addiction is a physically and psychologically burdensome phenomenon
Individuals at risk for exercise dependence exercised for significantly more hours per week, and were significantly more likely to have a previous diagnosis of an anxiety disorder; otherwise, there were no differences between groups
This is true for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); for childhood trauma, differences reach significance. These results confirm the findings of other studies which have found higher scores on mental disorder tests in those at risk for exercise addiction (Li et al, 2015; Weinstein et al, 2015; Back et al, 2019). This is the first time that childhood trauma has been investigated in the context of exercise addiction, and our results indicate that this is a field which has clear relevance for future investigations and treatment approaches
Summary
First described in 1970 (Baekeland, 1970), addiction to exercise is reported to manifest as rigid adherence to exercise patterns, neglecting friends, family, and professional obligations for the sake of exercise, continuing despite illness, injury, and the recognition of these negative consequences, and severe withdrawal symptoms when planned exercise cannot be carried out (Freimuth et al, 2011). These symptoms reflect the characteristics of substance use disorders (Weinstein and Weinstein, 2014). The aim of this study is to determine whether this pattern of psychiatric disturbance is present in individuals at risk for exercise addiction
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