Exercise addiction and psychosocial health risks among adolescent athletes: Focus on sport type and performance level
Mayolas-Pi, Carmen (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sitko, Sebastian (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Pano-Rodriguez, Alvaro ; Lopez-Laval, Isaac (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Reverter-Masia, Joaquin ; Legaz-Arrese, Alejandro (Universidad de Zaragoza)
Resumen: Aim
Exercise addiction is a compulsive need to engage in physical activity despite potential negative consequences. This study aims to analyze adolescents' psychosocial health in relation to the risk of exercise addiction, focusing on competition levels, sport types, gender, and age.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7,596 participants (44.2% girls) aged 11–19. Data on physical activity (PAQ-C and PAQ-A), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (SAS), depression symptoms (BDI-II), eating disorders (EDI-3), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52) were collected via validated questionnaires. The prevalence of exercise addiction risk (EAI) was assessed, and differences based on competition level, sport type, gender, and age were analyzed. Gamma GLMs factors-adjusted were used for statistical comparisons.
Results
6.4% of adolescents in non-competitive sports and 15.6% in competitive sports showed a risk of exercise addiction. The risk was higher in boys, but the difference diminished at higher competition levels. The risk of addiction increased notably in late adolescence. Competitive athletes, especially at high levels, were at greater risk compared to noncompetitive athletes. Those in individual sports were at higher risk than those in team sports. Adolescents at risk of exercise addiction reported poorer mental health, including sleep quality (β = 1.62, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = 3.58, p < 0.001), depression (β = 2.283, p < 0.001), and eating disorders (β = 3.101, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Exercise addiction is a significant concern among adolescents, especially in competitive and individual sports. It is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of addiction and promote holistic health in adolescent athletes.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2025.00024
Año: 2025
Publicado en: Journal of behavioral addictions (2025), [12 pp.]
ISSN: 2062-5871
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S25-23R
Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)
Área (Departamento): Área Educación Física y Depor. (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)
You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-04-10-14:03:55)
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Exercise addiction is a compulsive need to engage in physical activity despite potential negative consequences. This study aims to analyze adolescents' psychosocial health in relation to the risk of exercise addiction, focusing on competition levels, sport types, gender, and age.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7,596 participants (44.2% girls) aged 11–19. Data on physical activity (PAQ-C and PAQ-A), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (SAS), depression symptoms (BDI-II), eating disorders (EDI-3), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52) were collected via validated questionnaires. The prevalence of exercise addiction risk (EAI) was assessed, and differences based on competition level, sport type, gender, and age were analyzed. Gamma GLMs factors-adjusted were used for statistical comparisons.
Results
6.4% of adolescents in non-competitive sports and 15.6% in competitive sports showed a risk of exercise addiction. The risk was higher in boys, but the difference diminished at higher competition levels. The risk of addiction increased notably in late adolescence. Competitive athletes, especially at high levels, were at greater risk compared to noncompetitive athletes. Those in individual sports were at higher risk than those in team sports. Adolescents at risk of exercise addiction reported poorer mental health, including sleep quality (β = 1.62, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = 3.58, p < 0.001), depression (β = 2.283, p < 0.001), and eating disorders (β = 3.101, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Exercise addiction is a significant concern among adolescents, especially in competitive and individual sports. It is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of addiction and promote holistic health in adolescent athletes.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2025.00024
Año: 2025
Publicado en: Journal of behavioral addictions (2025), [12 pp.]
ISSN: 2062-5871
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S25-23R
Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)
Área (Departamento): Área Educación Física y Depor. (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)
You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-04-10-14:03:55)
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Record created 2025-04-10, last modified 2025-04-10