Exercise Addiction and Health Risks in Gym Users

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cardiovascular Abnormalities; Exercise Addiction

Treatments: Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07061509

ExerciseAdd-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with and without exercise addiction. Adult recreational gym users who have been engaging in resistance training for at least six months will be included. Participants will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence levels, and outcomes such as musculoskeletal symptoms, anabolic substance use, and cardiovascular risk scores will be compared between groups.

Full description

The current study will examine the effects of exercise addiction on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in recreational gym users. Exercise addiction is characterized by compulsive training behavior despite physical or psychological harm and is increasingly prevalent among young adults, especially those engaged in bodybuilding.

Participants will be recruited from randomly selected fitness centers in Istanbul and categorized into exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups using the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk will be evaluated using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which considers factors such as blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) will also be applied to assess body image and muscle-related attitudes.

In addition to the physical assessments, participants will be asked about the use of anabolic steroids, and the frequency and patterns of such use will be recorded. The study will aim to raise awareness about the health consequences of excessive exercise and unregulated anabolic substance use, with the goal of informing preventive strategies and guiding future research.

Enrollment: 32 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged ≥18 years
• Member of a fitness center
• Regular physical activity (≥3 times per week)
• Voluntary participation with informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed psychiatric illness
• Professional or elite athletes
• Incomplete questionnaire data

Trial design

32 participants in 2 patient groups

Exercise-Dependent Group

Description:

Participants identified as "exercise dependent" based on scores from the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). These individuals train at least 3 times per week and meet the criteria for exercise addiction.

Treatment:

Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments

Non-Dependent Group

Description:

Participants who engage in regular resistance training (≥3 times/week) but do not meet the criteria for exercise addiction, based on EDS-21 scores.

Treatment:

Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments