Dependence on physical exercise as a risk to psychological well-being in runners

Abstract

This objective of this study is to verify the existence of an inverse relationship between the exercise dependence variables, measured with the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-R) by Downs et al. (2004), and psychological well-being, evaluated with the Ryff scale (1989), and its possible differential effect due to sex and age. The study used a sample of 316 runners (170 men and 146 women), with an average age of 38.4 years (SD = 9.8). The results show a negative correlation between exercise dependence (abstinence, continuation and reduction of activity factors) and psychological well-being. In addition, women obtain a higher score in psychological well-being and abstinence (EDS-R) than men. The Exercise Dependence factors (+tolerance,-reduction of activity, +time spent and-desired effects) represent 13.9% of the explained variance of psychological well-being. Age is also a relevant factor, the older you are, the greater the negative effect of dependence. It is concluded that when sports practice exceeds a given intensity and becomes addictive, it generates a negative effect on well-being, this effect being especially relevant in the case of men, and the older they are, the greater the risk.