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Exercise dependence, body dismorphia, and anxiety in crossfit practitioners: A cross-sectional study
Isabela Anderson Laynes1, Marina Gomes Fagundes2, Germanna Medeiros Barbosa2
1Postgraduate Program Interdisciplinary in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
Introduction:
Physical exercise provides better body image perception and well-being. However, if practiced compulsively, it may lead to compulsion and psychobiological damage. CrossFit is a method aiming at maximum performance, and it is currently attracting many regular practitioners.
Objective:
Evaluate exercise dependence prevalence, muscle dysmorphia, and trait-state anxiety in CrossFit practitioners.
Methods:
One hundred fifty regular male CrossFit practitioners were evaluated and subdivided into two groups: with and without risk for exercise dependence. Trait-state anxiety and muscle dysmorphia were also assessed. Unpaired t-test compared groups, Fisher's exact test was used for associations between categorical variables (p < 0.05), while correlations were verified using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results:
122 participants were identified with no risk for exercise dependence and 28 with risk for exercise dependence. Participants presented mean age of 30.3 ± 7.05 years and had been practicing physical exercise for 8.02 ± 8.1 years, with training frequency of 5.3 ± 1.09 days per week and 107.9 ± 50.5 min per training day. Prevalence risk of exercise dependence was 18.6%, and muscle dysmorphia was significantly different between groups with (10.7%, n = 3) and without risk (6.6%, n = 8) for exercise dependence. Participants with risk for dependence chose CrossFit mainly due to appearance (32%).
Conclusion:
Prevalence risk of exercise dependence was 18.6% and satisfaction with muscle appearance may influence exercise behavior.
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