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Excessive bodybuilding as pathology? A first neurophysiological classification.

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Excessive bodybuilding may stem from muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD), not addiction. Neuroimaging revealed heightened activity in motor areas, suggesting a link to body perception rather than reward pathways.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Excessive bodybuilding is classified as either dependency or muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD).
  • Distinguishing between these classifications requires psychophysiological data.
  • This study investigates neurophysiological differences between bodybuilders and controls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore psychophysiological data supporting either the addiction or MDD theory of excessive bodybuilding.
  • To compare brain activation patterns in bodybuilders versus healthy controls using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-four participants (bodybuilders and healthy controls) underwent fNIRS.
  • Participants viewed images of bodies, exercise equipment, and general reward stimuli.
  • Brain activation in specific cortical regions was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) activation were found between groups.
  • Bodybuilders showed significantly higher activation in the primary somatosensory cortex (PSC) and supplementary motor area (SMA) when viewing body images.
  • These findings contrast with expectations for the addiction theory.

Conclusions:

  • The observed neurophysiological patterns provide preliminary evidence supporting the muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD) theory of excessive bodybuilding.
  • Heightened activation in sensory-motor areas suggests a focus on body image and movement in excessive bodybuilding.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings of excessive bodybuilding.