Validity, Reliability and Psychometric Properties of the Exercise Dependence Questionnaire among Physically Active Young Adults

Background: Exercise Dependence (ED) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable exercise behaviors leading to physiological and psychological symptoms. Valid assessment tools are crucial for identifying ED in understudied populations. The present study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Exercise Dependence Questionnaire (EDQ) among physically active young adults in Iran. Methods: This psychometric validation study used a cross-sectional design with 200 participants aged 18-35 years (49% male, 51% female) recruited through clustered random sampling from sports clubs in Tabriz, Iran. The EDQ was administered between May-July, 2021. Validity was assessed through forward backward translation, content validity analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and testretest (intraclass correlation, ICC) methods. Ceiling and floor effects, Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable change (SDC) were also determined. Results: The EDQ demonstrated good content validity (CVI=0.88, CVR=0.73). EFA yielded a 7-factor model explaining 59.45% of variance. Key factors were withdrawal symptoms, exercise for health/social reasons, positive reward, interference with life, insight into problems, and stereotyped behavior. CFA showed moderate fit. Internal consistency was adequate overall (α=0.8) but lower for some subscales. The ICC confirmed good test-retest reliability (0.80, 95% CI 0.76-0.84). No ceiling and floor effects were detected. SEM and SDC were 0.52 and 1.03, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated that the Persian version of the EDQ is a valid and reliable scale for assessing ED.