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Exercise Addiction: Preliminary Evidence on the Role of Psychological Inflexibility

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Abstract

Previous research suggests that psychological inflexibility may play an important role in the development of both substance and behavioral addictions. However, the influence that psychological inflexibility might exert on exercise addiction has still to be investigated. The objective of this study was to look at the influence of psychological inflexibility on exercise addiction. Three hundred and ninety-eight recreational endurance exercisers (381 men and 17 women) aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 35.62, SD = 9.43) completed a self-reported questionnaire. A structural equation model was tested. After controlling for the effects of age (β = − .34, p < .001), frequency (β = .24, p < .01), and the number of hours of practice (β = .09, p = .17), psychological inflexibility contributed to explaining exercise addiction (β = .26, p < .001). The model explained 30% of the variance in exercise addiction. Some preliminary evidence is provided suggesting that psychological inflexibility could condition the potential benefits of practising physical exercise; in particular, by favoring the acquisition of an addictive pattern when carrying out such activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120, Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano, Spain

    Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez, José M. Aguilar-Parra & Joaquín F. Álvarez-Hernández

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  1. Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez
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  2. José M. Aguilar-Parra
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  3. Joaquín F. Álvarez-Hernández
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Correspondence to Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez.

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Alcaraz-Ibáñez, M., Aguilar-Parra, J.M. & Álvarez-Hernández, J.F. Exercise Addiction: Preliminary Evidence on the Role of Psychological Inflexibility. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 199–206 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9875-y

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