Investigation of the Exercise Dependence of Athletes Doing Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai

Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Dependence, and Fueling Strategies in Trail Runners

Under fueling, disordered eating (DE), exercise dependence (EXD), and high training demands relative to energy intake may increase the risk of low energy availability (LEA) in endurance and ultra-endurance athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of LEA risk and relationship with risk of DE, EXD, and fueling habits during training and competition in endurance runners. Trail runners between the age of 18-40 (n = 1,899; males: n = 510, females: n = 1,445) completed a 45-question survey using Qualtrics that included training and racing characteristics, questions regarding carbohydrate intake during training and competition, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), the Disordered Eating Screen for Athletes (DESA-6), and the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Among all runners, 43% of runners were at risk for LEA, 43% were at risk for DE, and 87.3% reported symptoms related to EXD. LEAF-Q scores were positively correlated with EDS-21 (r = 0.33, p < 0.001) and DESA-6 scores (r = 0.29, p < 0.001). From the population, 47.6% of athletes reported taking in less than the recommended carbohydrate guidelines during endurance events lasting > 2.5 hours. In females, athletes at risk for LEA appear less likely to fuel sufficiently than athletes not at risk for LEA (p < 0.001). Risk of LEA, DE, and EXD appears to be high in endurance runners. Furthermore, meeting carbohydrate recommendations during training and competition should be emphasized to avoid negative health outcomes associated with LEA in endurance runners.

Chinese version of exercise dependence scale-revised: psychometric analysis and exploration of risk factors

Introduction

Exercise addiction (EA) is a dysfunctional behavior characterized by exaggerated training which has adverse effects on physiology and psychology. To examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R) and the social and psychological aspects related to EA, a large sample behavioral study was conducted.

Methods

College students were selected as the target group. All of them were asked to finish the scales about exercise, including the Chinese version of EDS-R and the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised scales. A confirmatory factor analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and hierarchical regression test were performed to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of EDS-R and find the explanatory variables of EA.

Results

A total of 837 (556 female) students with a mean age of 20.38 years were recruited in the present study. The Chinese version of EDS-R showed good reliability and validity (McDonald's ω = 0.973, CR = 0.99, AVE = 0.80) in Chinese college students. EA was positively correlated with exercise frequency and ability motivation across the study sample. Besides, the Mann-Whitney U test revealed that the exercise motivation difference is the primary cause of the gender gap in EA.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of EDS-R is a relatively robust and accurate instrument to assess the risk of EA. Additionally, exercise frequency and motivation may be the potential risk factors for EA. The screening of risk factors is of great significance for the early detection and prevention of EA.

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma, Pathological Dissociation, and Behavioral Addictions in Young Adults: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Interactions between childhood trauma (CT) and dissociation can contribute to psychiatric disturbances. We explored this phenomenon in relation to behavioral addictions (BAs) in a sample (n = 633) of young adults (age: 18-34 years). Self-report measures investigating CT, dissociation, and symptoms related to gambling disorder, internet gaming disorder, problematic social media use, exercise dependence and compulsive buying were used. Scales related to BAs were summarized into a single measure ("Total Behavioral Addiction Index" - TBAI) for inferential analyses. A model analyzing the direct and indirect effects of CT on TBAI through the mediation of pathological dissociation was performed, controlling for confounding factors. Measures on CT, dissociation, and TBAI were significantly associated with each other (all p < .001). The total effect of CT on TBAI was significant (B = 0.063; CI: 0.045; 0.081); pathological dissociation significantly mediated such association (B = 0.023; CI: 0.013; 0.036). Our findings support the possibility that the interaction between CT and dissociation contributes to increase disturbances related to BAs.

Exercise Dependence in Practitioners of Martial Arts and Combat Sports

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyse prevalence exercise dependence among practicing martial arts and combat sports.

METHODS

There were 166 respondents. The Exercise Dependence Scale-EDS was used.

RESULTS

The martial arts practitioners obtained a lower result in the 'intention effects' (p < 0.05; η² = 0.03), 'continuance' (p = 0.04; η² = 0.03), 'lack of control' (p < 0.05; η² = 0.03), 'reduction in other activities' (p = 0.04; η² = 0.03), and 'total score' (p = 0.04; η² = 0.03) than the combat sports athletes. Both the respondents with a high training rank (p < 0.05) and subjects with above 5 years of training experience (p = 0.03; η² = 0.03) achieved the higher mean in the 'time' subscale. Women obtained lower results in the case of 'tolerance' (p = 0.04; η² = 0.04). The regression coefficient indicates that the higher respondent's age, the lower total score she/he will achieve in the EDS.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings have practical implications for identifying subjects 'at-risk for exercise dependence' symptoms, and may aid coaches and individuals in the implementation of a prevention program, to seek suitable support.

Exercise Addiction in Athletes: a Systematic Review of the Literature

Athletes train on a pre-determined training schedule. Scheduled behaviors are difficult to become “addictive” because urges and cravings cannot be scheduled. Still, many scholars think that elite or competitive athletes can become addicted to their sport or exercise. The aim of this systematic literature review was to analyze scholastic papers on exercise addiction in athletes with a special view on their focus and prevalence estimates. Four databases were scrutinized, including PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, Crossref, and ScienceDirect, which resulted in 17 eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The bulk of these studies compared athletes to non-athletes and employed a cross-sectional design. Their results suggest that the risk of exercise addiction is greater in athletes than non-athletes, along with a prevalence rate of up to >40%, which is ten times greater than that reported in a population-wide study. These findings are in discord with the definition and conceptualization of exercise addiction, which, according to previous calls, begs for the urgent clearer conceptualization of exercise addiction.

Factors associated with prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal injuries in Brazilian kickboxers: a cross-sectional study

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pain and musculoskeletal injuries in Brazilian kickboxers.

Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study composed of a population of kickboxers from the academies affiliated to the Rio Grande do Norte State Federation of Kickboxing. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire regarding their demographic data, graduation and level of participation in the modality, routines of procedures during training, and pain/ discomfort regions and respective intensities. In addition, the characteristics, types, and regions of the injuries were evaluated.

Results: Of the 132 kickboxers included, a high prevalence of pain (84.09%) was observed and associated with the female gender (OR = 3.62; CI95% 1.29–10.13) and body mass index (OR = 0.80; CI95% 0.71–0.91). In addition, the kickboxers presented a moderate percentage of injuries (40.91%) that were associated with longer training time (OR = 5.82; CI95% 2.68–12.61) and contact level in the training sessions (OR = 3.53; CI95% 1.85–6.72).

Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in kickboxers, mainly associated with female gender and with lower body mass. Musculoskeletal injuries were moderately prevalent in kickboxers who trained more than one hour per session and with an intense contact level.