Can automatic reactions mirror exercise dependence?
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| Title: | Can automatic reactions mirror exercise dependence? |
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| Authors: | Quossi, Anaïs (AUTHOR), Fessler, Layan (AUTHOR), Maltagliati, Silvio (AUTHOR), Gardner, Benjamin (AUTHOR), Miller, Matthew W. (AUTHOR), Sander, David (AUTHOR), Rebar, Amanda L. (AUTHOR), Szabo, Attila (AUTHOR), Cheval, Boris (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Dec2025, Vol. 23 Issue 7, p1207-1233. 27p. |
| Subjects: | Exercise addiction, Physical activity, Addictions, Cognitive bias, Approach behavior, Subconsciousness, Psychological well-being, Attentional bias |
| Abstract: | While physical activity (PA) has numerous health benefits, in rare cases it can become addictive and lead to adverse health effects. Automatic reactions to addiction-related cues are a hallmark of addiction, however, their association with exercise dependence (ED) remains unknown. This research examined the links between ED and automatic reactions to PA-related cues in physically active individuals with low-to-moderate levels of ED through two studies. Study 1 (N = 65) used a dot-probe task with eye-tracking to assess the association between attentional bias toward PA and ED scores measured by the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised. Study 2 (N = 125) used a manikin task and a single-category implicit association test to examine the association of approach-avoidance tendencies and implicit affective attitudes toward PA with ED scores. Results revealed ED scores were positively associated with behavioral indicators of attentional bias (i.e., reaction times), but not with eye-tracking indicators (i.e., first-gaze localization, gaze duration). Similarly, ED scores were unrelated to approach-avoidance tendencies or implicit affective attitudes toward PA. Therefore, our research provides limited evidence supporting the hypothesis that automatic reactions to PA may reflect a "signature" of ED. Our findings do not robustly support the link between automatic processes and ED, raising questions about whether the psychological mechanisms involved in ED might differ from those observed in other addictive behaviors where automatic processes are key. However, due to our sample's low-to-moderate levels of ED, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Further research with individuals exhibiting addiction-related dependence, personalized stimuli, and neurophysiological methods is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | While physical activity (PA) has numerous health benefits, in rare cases it can become addictive and lead to adverse health effects. Automatic reactions to addiction-related cues are a hallmark of addiction, however, their association with exercise dependence (ED) remains unknown. This research examined the links between ED and automatic reactions to PA-related cues in physically active individuals with low-to-moderate levels of ED through two studies. Study 1 (N = 65) used a dot-probe task with eye-tracking to assess the association between attentional bias toward PA and ED scores measured by the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised. Study 2 (N = 125) used a manikin task and a single-category implicit association test to examine the association of approach-avoidance tendencies and implicit affective attitudes toward PA with ED scores. Results revealed ED scores were positively associated with behavioral indicators of attentional bias (i.e., reaction times), but not with eye-tracking indicators (i.e., first-gaze localization, gaze duration). Similarly, ED scores were unrelated to approach-avoidance tendencies or implicit affective attitudes toward PA. Therefore, our research provides limited evidence supporting the hypothesis that automatic reactions to PA may reflect a "signature" of ED. Our findings do not robustly support the link between automatic processes and ED, raising questions about whether the psychological mechanisms involved in ED might differ from those observed in other addictive behaviors where automatic processes are key. However, due to our sample's low-to-moderate levels of ED, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Further research with individuals exhibiting addiction-related dependence, personalized stimuli, and neurophysiological methods is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 1612197X |
| DOI: | 10.1080/1612197X.2024.2387698 |
