Medical, subjective and objective forms of exercise dependence and the role of learning, cognitive and emotional biases

Despite numerous benefits of regular exercise, research has demonstrated some people develop problematic exercise behaviour, with ongoing debates regarding the definition. This study defined three approaches: a traditional medical model including for example withdrawal symptoms; a subjective approach whereby individuals identify their own problematic exercise; and an objective perspective involving persistent exercise despite negative consequences. This cross-sectional study assessed the association between these three approaches in UK-based frequent exercisers (<i>n</i> = 139) alongside correlations with learning, cognitive and emotional biases (reward vs punishment sensitivity, delay discounting and sensation seeking). The results indicate these three approaches to problematic exercise are related but different. Further, medical problematic exercise was associated with heightened sensitivity to reward and punishment; subjective problematic exercise was only associated with heightened punishment sensitivity; objective problematic exercise was associated with reduced punishment sensitivity. This novel classification approach to problematic exercise may help clarify the factors that initiate and perpetuate this behaviour.