The prevalence of exercise dependence among students

Abstract

Background and aim of the study: Exercise has a positive effect on human well-being, which includes the reduced risk of arterial hypertension, lowered cholesterol, reduced effect of diabetes, and positive effects on body mass index. Exercise dependence is a pathological habit in which a person loses control over their behavior. As a result, exercise becomes an addiction and is a priority in a person's daily life. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of exercise dependence among students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, Croatia. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 319 respondents. It was conducted via an online questionnaire from November 2021 to February 2022. The first part of the questionnaire contained general sociodemographic data, and the second part was the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Results: Of the 319 respondents, 119 exercise regularly. Most students are symptomatic exercisers (79.8%), 6.7% have developed exercise dependence, and 13.4% are asymptomatic exercisers. Moreover, multivariate linear regression analyses showed that some of the demographic characteristics of students were associated with exercise dependence. Younger students (p = 0.05) and non-smokers (p = 0.003) had higher levels of exercise dependence. Also, the level of exercise dependence was higher in singles (p = 0.01) and students with lower body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007) than in married students and those with higher BMI. However, no difference in exercise dependence was observed regarding gender (p = 0.20). Conclusion: Students with symptoms of exercise dependence lead a healthier lifestyle, have a lower BMI, and are non-smokers. However, the present study has shown that many students have symptoms of exercise dependence, and it is necessary to spot those who need psychological help in time to avoid addiction. Kinesiologists and physiotherapists might play a significant role in this. They could ensure optimal training of students by properly designing training and offering advice to avoid exercise addiction.