Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Well-Being, Exercise Routines, and the Intake of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Comparison Across Sport Disciplines

Abstract

Introduction: Physical distancing under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on lifestyles, including exercise routines. In this study, we examined the relationship between mental health and addictive behaviors, such as excessive exercise and the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) across 12 sport disciplines.Materials and methods: A large cross-sectional sample of the adult population (N = 2,295) was surveyed. The mean age was 33.09 (SD = 11.40). The number of male participants was 668 (30.0%). The use of IPEDs was assessed in conjunction with psychometric measures such as the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) and the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI). The participants were grouped into activity group (AG) and non-activity group (NAG) according to the presence or absence of their exercise habits. The results were compared between these groups, as well as across sport disciplines, while taking into account the relationship between different psychological measures and IPEDs consumption.Results: The frequency of IPEDs use was higher among AG (34.6%) than NAG (14.6%), although AG participants reported less history of addictions (7.1%) than NAG (11.8%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that scores equal to or above cutoff points, in both the EAI and AAI, predicted the IPEDs use. Regarding the differences across the various sport disciplines, those who were involved in practicing Weight Lifting and Cross Fit were found to be more at risk of excessive exercising and more inclined to use a wide range of IPEDs.Conclusions: Although exercise could help to increase well-being and prevent addictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, our results show that those in the AG are particularly vulnerable to excessive IPEDs use. Sport disciplines associated with higher EAI and AAI scores have also shown a higher tendency to excessive IPEDs use. Furthermore, the factor of having above the cutoff scores in EAI or AAI in each sport could indicate larger IPEDs consumption regardless of the discipline. In light of the current findings, it is necessary to better define the “non-excessive” levels of exercise in various sport disciplines and an adequate intake of IPEDs to ensure the safety and well-being of people during a pandemic.

The effect of the Baduanjin exercise on COVID-19-related anxiety, psychological well-being and lower back pain of college students during the pandemic

“…A systematic review concluded that the efficacy of Baduanjin exercise in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in people with physical or mental illnesses [ 73 ]. In addition, some studies have shown that excessive exercise or exercise addiction harms anxiety and psychological well-being [ 74 ]. Simultaneously, during the pandemic, people who exercise more are less anxious than people who exercise less [ 75 ].…”

Online Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Associations with Psychological Factors: An International Exploratory Study

“…The data were stored in a secure platform at the University of Hertfordshire. Conventional data from this study sample (including IPEDs use/body image/exercise habits) were reported previously [ 9 , 40 ].…”

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research – A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

“…Thus, the pandemic has constituted a unique opportunity to analyse social behaviours, including with respect to social media. Perceived reliance on social platforms may unveil or enhance dysfunctional mechanisms, especially ones correlated to body image and social acceptance, like appearance anxiety, excessive exercise, eating habits, and usage of supplements to improve either physical activity or body shape [130,135]. Concurrently, mechanisms related to social comparison may lead to repeated checking on others' contents, especially those recognized as most leading and inspiring, investing longer time on active social media activities, like posting, commenting, and sharing content, and passive ones like scrolling and browsing profiles.…”