Examining the Relationship Between Exercise Dependence and Loneliness in Fitness Individuals

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exercise dependence and loneliness levels of fitness individuals. For this purpose, 300 individuals, 104 women and 196 men (Mean Age = 27.13 ± 9.866) who were fitness participants, were included in the study. The Exercise Dependence Scale-21, whose Turkish validity and reliability was provided by Yeltepe and Can İkizler (2007), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale-III, whose Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Durak and Durak (2010), were used as measurement tools in the study. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation test and simple linear regression analyzes were used to analyze the data, using the SPSS 25 package program. When the results were examined, a negative relationship was found between exercise dependence sub-dimensions and total score and loneliness. Additionally, the loneliness variable was found to be a significant predictor of exercise dependence. As a result, it was concluded that the exercise dependence of the participating individuals was related to their loneliness levels and that their loneliness levels affected exercise dependence. It is possible to say that the loneliness levels of individuals participating in fitness interact with their exercise dependence.