Supervisors info:
Μινέρβα- Μελπομένη Μαλλιώρη, Ομότιμη καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Παπαρρηγόπουλος Θωμάς, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Τριανταφύλλου Καλλιόπη, PHD, Ιατρική σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: Exercise Dependence is characterized by excessive engagement with
physical exercise, which can have significant negative consequences on people's lives.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to detect symptoms of exercise addiction, in a
sample of Greek athletes. At the same time, it was attempted to clarify the correlation
between exercise dependence and other key factors, such as eating disorders (anorexia
nervosa, bulimia/ food preoccupation), orthorexia, body image and personality traits
(extroversion, neuroticism, neuroticism, openness to experience, narcissism and
perfectionism).
Method: The participants completed seven self-report questionnaires (Exercise
Dependence Scale-21, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Orthorexia-15, Multidimensional
Body- Self Relations Questionnaire- Appearance Scale, Multidimensional
Perfectionism Scale, Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Traits Personality
Questionnaire) EDS-21, EAT-26, ORTO-15, MBSRQ-AS, MPS, NPI, ΤΕΧΑΠ),
which were distributed in printed and electronic form. Results: The final sample
consisted of 378 athletes, with an average age of 32.8 years. The statistical analysis
showed that 8.5% of the participants were at risk of developing exercise dependence,
while 59.2% showed indicative behaviors of psychogenic orthorexia. At the same time,
the multifactorial linear analysis showed that eating disorders and orthorexia are
directly related to the manifestation of symptoms of exercise dependence (p>0,001).
Also, the more conscientious and perfectionist people were, the more likely they were
to develop symptoms of exercise addiction (p>0,030, p>0,001 respectively). Finally,
the frequency and timing of exercise showed a positive correlation with dependence on
exercise (p>0,001), while the correlation among the dimension ofbetween “weight selfcategorization” and the the dimensions “lack of control” and “time of activity”
occurrence of symptoms of dependence on exercise appeared to be negative (p>0,001,
p>0,008 respectively).
In conclusion, the present study, through a holistic point of view, attempts to contribute
to a better understanding of the phenomenon of exercise addiction, paying attention to
the factors that seem to be related to this complex issue.
Keywords:
Key words: Exercise dependence, Eating disorders, Orthorexia, Body image, Personality traits, Perfectionism, Consciousness
