Identifying the features of an exercise addiction: A Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Sport science
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Limited consensus exists on defining exercise addiction.
• Understanding motivations for addictive exercise is crucial for interventions.
• This study aimed to establish consensus on exercise addiction features and test a conceptual model.

Framework:

• Adapted the Work Craving Model for exercise addiction.
• Hypothesized three components: learned, behavioral, and hedonic.
• Investigated features consistent with negative perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive drive, and affect regulation.

Implementation:

• Utilized a three-round Delphi process with experts from sport and exercise domains.
• Included physicians, physiotherapists, coaches, trainers, and athletes.
• Sixty-three items reached consensus regarding exercise addiction features.

Implications:

• Consensus was reached on features of exercise addiction.
• Features align with the proposed conceptual model (learned, behavioral, hedonic).
• Introduces Delphi methodology as a novel approach for exercise addiction research.