Research examines physical and mental risks of exercise addiction

Research published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions suggests that obsessive exercise can lead to physical, psychological, and social impairments. Studies indicate that between 3% and 42% of participants in various analyses showed a risk of addiction, with specific rates noted among Spanish cyclists (6.1%), Italian marathon runners (15.4%), and elite Danish athletes (7.6%).

Key indicators of exercise dependence include a loss of control, continuing to train while injured or ill, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and social isolation due to neglecting responsibilities. Researchers utilized the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS) to evaluate seven aspects, including tolerance, withdrawal, and loss of control.

However, some researchers caution that the prevalence of exercise addiction may be overestimated. They note that high scores on screening tools often reflect intense passion, perfectionism, or commitment rather than a clinical pathology. The authors emphasize that current screening tools are intended to identify susceptibility rather than serve as definitive diagnostic instruments, suggesting that true dependence may be rare.