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Understanding exercise addiction, psychiatric characteristics and use of anabolic androgenic steroids among recreational athletes – An online survey study

Gunnarsson, Björn LU ; Entezarjou, Artin LU orcid ; Fernández-Aranda, Fernando ; Jiménez-Murcia, Susana ; Kenttä, Göran and Håkansson, Anders LU (2022) In Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 4.
Abstract

Background: The purpose of this paper was to explore maladaptive behaviors among physically active individuals, including exercise dependence and use of anabolic steroids. Both exercise addiction (EA) and use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) correlate to high amounts of exercise and EA have been linked to eating disorders and other mental health problems. Methods: An internet survey was spread through fitness-related social media. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 15 years and exercise frequency ≥ thrice weekly. Exercise addiction inventory identified those at-risk of EA (rEA). Characteristics of rEA were compared to those not at risk. In a separate analysis, AAS users were compared to AAS-naïve individuals. Results: In total, 3,029... (More)

Background: The purpose of this paper was to explore maladaptive behaviors among physically active individuals, including exercise dependence and use of anabolic steroids. Both exercise addiction (EA) and use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) correlate to high amounts of exercise and EA have been linked to eating disorders and other mental health problems. Methods: An internet survey was spread through fitness-related social media. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 15 years and exercise frequency ≥ thrice weekly. Exercise addiction inventory identified those at-risk of EA (rEA). Characteristics of rEA were compared to those not at risk. In a separate analysis, AAS users were compared to AAS-naïve individuals. Results: In total, 3,029 participants completed the questionnaire. Of these, 11% screened positive for being rEA, and 23% for ED. Factors associated with EA included daily exercise, social phobia, eating disorders and OCD. Risk consumption of alcohol was a negative predictor. Thirty seven participants had taken AAS the last year. These were mainly men, bodybuilders/powerlifters and more often used amphetamines and opioids. Discussion: This exploratory study supports EA being strongly associated with eating disorders. Identified associations between EA and compulsive or anxiety disorders warrant further research to clarify if these associations arise prior to, together with, or secondary to EA.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
anabolic androgenic steroids, behavioral addiction, exercise dependence, mental health, sports psychology
in
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
volume
4
article number
903777
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:35979064
  • scopus:85136238695
ISSN
2624-9367
DOI
10.3389/fspor.2022.903777
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
af35a166-7a52-4f75-9edf-298209a6d487
date added to LUP
2022-10-06 14:53:41
date last changed
2024-04-18 14:46:27
@article{af35a166-7a52-4f75-9edf-298209a6d487,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: The purpose of this paper was to explore maladaptive behaviors among physically active individuals, including exercise dependence and use of anabolic steroids. Both exercise addiction (EA) and use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) correlate to high amounts of exercise and EA have been linked to eating disorders and other mental health problems. Methods: An internet survey was spread through fitness-related social media. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 15 years and exercise frequency ≥ thrice weekly. Exercise addiction inventory identified those at-risk of EA (rEA). Characteristics of rEA were compared to those not at risk. In a separate analysis, AAS users were compared to AAS-naïve individuals. Results: In total, 3,029 participants completed the questionnaire. Of these, 11% screened positive for being rEA, and 23% for ED. Factors associated with EA included daily exercise, social phobia, eating disorders and OCD. Risk consumption of alcohol was a negative predictor. Thirty seven participants had taken AAS the last year. These were mainly men, bodybuilders/powerlifters and more often used amphetamines and opioids. Discussion: This exploratory study supports EA being strongly associated with eating disorders. Identified associations between EA and compulsive or anxiety disorders warrant further research to clarify if these associations arise prior to, together with, or secondary to EA.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gunnarsson, Björn and Entezarjou, Artin and Fernández-Aranda, Fernando and Jiménez-Murcia, Susana and Kenttä, Göran and Håkansson, Anders}},
  issn         = {{2624-9367}},
  keywords     = {{anabolic androgenic steroids; behavioral addiction; exercise dependence; mental health; sports psychology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}},
  title        = {{Understanding exercise addiction, psychiatric characteristics and use of anabolic androgenic steroids among recreational athletes – An online survey study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.903777}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fspor.2022.903777}},
  volume       = {{4}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}