Exercise Addiction?

Definitions and Measures of Exercise Dependence 

This research is very timely with so many gyms being opened and so many people joining gyms even when they can’t afford food.  I am basing this on people I know personally.  

This research about exercise was mainly focusing on runners but I feel that it can be applied to any exercise addict.  Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths (2006), state that this addiction has been found to have similarities to anorexia or eating disorders.  This seems feasible since anorexics, like runner addicts according to the research say that the fixation is about remaining thin.  Also, the runner, like an addict, experiences a euphoric feeling after a run.  The term ‘‘exercise dependence’’ was first used to describe cases of ‘‘over commitment’’ to exercise in middle-aged men who continued to run despite injuries and other complications (Little 1969 as cited in Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths, 2006). 

Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths (2006), inform us that there is a difference between commitment and dependence.  Like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) the question always comes back to how is the activity affecting you or your family?  In addition, committed exercisers organize exercise round their lives, while dependent exercisers organize their life round exercise (Cockerill and Riddington 1996 as cited in Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths, 2006). Consequently, exercise behavior may be viewed as a continuum, which ranges from a healthy and sociable habit to one that is pathologic and addictive Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths, 2006).

Obligatory exercise has been described as an addiction (Draeger et al. 2005 as cited in Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths, 2006). However, obligatory implies that participants may feel obliged to exercise when the motive is no longer to improve performance, but to reduce or avoid any emotional problem that arise if they are unable to exercise (Draeger et al. 2005 Allegre, Souville, Therme, & Griffiths, 2006).

This research will assist me in discussing a healthy lifestyle with the youth I teach to and educating them on balance in their lives.  Too much of anything can harm you as everyone knows.  Understanding the difference between feeling obligatory versus knowing that we should all exercise a few times a week to stay healthy is the issue.  Van Wormer & Davis (2008), state that simple exercise is effective in reducing tension and in elevating mood because, with continuous activity, the body produces endorphins the natural way. 

The ethical concerns for the study would be based on whether or not the participants had to over exercise to participate.  That in and of itself is abuse allowed without treatment.  Whether or not treatment was offered once the research was complete is unknown. 

Allegre, B., Souville, M., Therme, P., & Griffiths, M. (2006). Definitions and measures of exercise dependence. Addiction Research & Theory, 14(6), 631-646. doi:10.1080/16066350600903302

Van Wormer, K., & Davis,R. (2008). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.