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Benefits, Risks and Gender Differences in Sport, and Exercise Dependence: Key Role of Alexithymia.

Paola Manfredi¹

¹Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

|May 14, 2022

Summary

Excessive exercise may indicate exercise dependence, but young adults at risk often report relative well-being. Gender influences exercise motivation and dependence risk, with men showing higher alexithymia levels.

Keywords:

alexithymia exercise addiction exercise dependence gender differences sport well-being young adults

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Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice

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Area of Science:

Sports Psychology
Behavioral Science

Background:

The benefits of sport are well-documented, but excessive engagement can signal exercise dependence.
Recent research highlights the need to explore the psychopathological significance and gender differences in exercise dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether young individuals at risk of exercise dependence or with symptomatic non-dependent exercise exhibit psychological distress.
To determine if high physical activity engagement is compatible with overall well-being.
To examine gender-based differences in exercise dependence and related factors.

Main Methods:

A study involving 396 young subjects (mean age 20 years).
Utilized the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale.
Administered a questionnaire on substance use, sleep, nutrition, relationships, mental/physical health, motivations, and trauma.

Main Results:

Prevalence of exercise dependence risk was 1.5%, and symptomatic non-dependence was 31.3%.
Men showed higher rates: 3% risk of dependence and 47.9% symptomatic non-dependence.
Individuals at risk or with symptomatic non-dependence reported relative well-being and no significant association with other problematic behaviors, except for modest soft drug use in the symptomatic group.
Alexithymia levels were higher in men, and gender differences were noted in sport frequency, motivation, and dependence risk.

Conclusions:

The risk of exercise dependence and symptomatic non-dependence can coexist with psychological well-being and are not strongly linked to other behavioral issues.
Gender significantly impacts exercise dependence risk, motivations, and alexithymia levels.
Assessing addiction risk should incorporate alexithymia and personal/social resources.