Dependency on physical exercise and body dissatisfaction in various endurance sports and their relation with the motivation to do sports

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyse dependence on exercise and body dissatisfaction in endurance athletes and its relation with motivation to do sports. 126 men (M= 36.02 ± 10.62 years) and 23 women (M = 28.18 ± 8.65 years) took part who did: long-distance running, swimming, triathlon and cycling. In the total sample, the prevalence of exercise dependence was 13.6% and body dissatisfaction was 16.3%. For exercise dependence, triathletes showed higher scores with significant differences when compared to the runners. Introjected regulation is a common predictor for exercise dependence and body dissatisfaction.