Individuals at Risk of Exercise Addiction Have Higher Scores for Depression, ADHD, and Childhood Trauma

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.

Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry

“…One investigation found that athletes with EXD had higher likelihood of depression [ t (121) = 4.944, p < 0.001], ADHD [ t (121) = 2.915, p = 0.004], and childhood trauma [ t (121) = 2.297, p = 0.024] [ 58 ].…”

Understanding the Link Between Physical Exercise, Autonomous Motivation, Exercise Dependence, and Adult ADHD Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between ADHD symptomatology with motivation and ED. Based on previous literature [14,15], it was hypothesised that there would be a signi cant positive correlation between ADHD symptomatology and ED. The current ndings support this, as evidenced by the signi cant positive correlation between EDS-T and both ADHD-H and ADHD-T (along with a non-signi cant positive correlation with ADHD-I).…”

“…Whilst the rate of EA among general exercisers has been found to be around 8.1% [12], rates may be higher in individuals with ADHD. Indeed, there is an established association between ADHD and risk of addictions, including behavioural ones [13], and Colledge et al, [14] found that individuals deemed "at-risk" of exercise addiction reported signi cantly higher symptoms of ADHD. Similarly, Popat et al, [15] found that medicated individuals with ADHD reported higher levels of exercise withdrawal and xation levels, although ED total scores did not differ signi cantly from healthy controls.…”

Exercise addiction: A narrative overview of research issues

“…It is also related to depression, ADHD, and childhood trauma (Colledge et al. 2022 ). Also, individuals who practice extreme mountaineering show higher ratings of self-perceived stress, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol abuse or dependence, illicit drug abuse, and current and history of psychiatric disorders (Habelt et al.…”