Study: Running can cause exercise addiction
Miscellaneous / / April 06, 2023
The risk is markedly higher if you run because of stress or engage in escapism.
The journal Frontiers in Psychology published a new study, which revealed the negative effect of the habit run. As it turned out, this can lead to addiction to exercise and, in turn, health problems.
The study examined the relationship between escapism in the form of running, well-being and physical addiction. The survey was completed by 227 people. The scientists studied their responses in three different dimensions: the degree of self-development or self-suppression, dependence on exercise, and life satisfaction.
The word escapism is derived from the English escape - "to escape" or "to be saved." The concept is divided into two types: self-development - when a person is aimed at finding positive experiences, and self-suppression - if it is the avoidance of negative thoughts.
During the study, it turned out that there is little in common between these two species. For example, people who like to run for self-improvement feel more successful and prosperous after exercise. And jogging because of stress brings less pleasure. However, both types were found to be predisposed to exercise addiction.
It also found that dependence on exercise negates the potential benefits of exercise. And low self-satisfaction can be both a cause and a result of this addiction. But the effect is the same for positive-minded runners.
The scientists concluded that the results of the study had nothing to do with age, gender, or time spent exercising. The predisposition to sports addiction is influenced only by a person's motivation.
“These findings may help people understand their own motivations and could also be used for therapeutic purposes.” noted lead author of the study, Dr. Frode Stenseng from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The authors note that more research will be conducted to better understand the relationship between escapism, motivation, and exercise addiction.
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