Towards Understanding Exercise Dependence : The Mediating Effect of Stress

Although physical activity is associated with general well-being and improved quality of life, compulsive exercise behaviour, such as exercise dependence, can be detrimental to an individual’s physical and psychological health. Different models have been introduced to describe the phenomenon, though seldom tested. Based on the expanded interaction model of exercise addiction (Dinardi et al., 2021), the aim of the study was to investigate the mediating effect of stress on the relationship between exercise identity and exercise dependence as well as on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and exercise dependence. Variables were measured using the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R), Exercise Identity Scale (EIS), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire’s Appearance Evaluation and -Orientation subscales (MBSRQ-AE/AO) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Participants were 99 regular exercisers (61 women, 38 men; MAge = 33.37, SD = 10.24 years), and data was collected via an online questionnaire. 9.1% of the participants were classified as “at risk for exercise dependence”. While the mediation analysis indicated no significant indirect effect of stress on both relationships, the present study found significant direct effects between exercise identity, body dissatisfaction, and exercise dependence. Additionally, it was found that stress predicts exercise dependence. This partly aligns with the pathways presented in the model. Future research should focus on further testing the model to investigate the role of stress and develop a universal assessment tool for measuring exercise dependence.