An Exploratory Examination of the Relationship Between Symptoms of Depression and Exercise Addiction Among Undergraduate Recreational Exercisers

Research has consistently demonstrated an association between depressive disorders and behavioral addictions. However, the relationship between depression and exercise addiction has rarely been investigated. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported depression and exercise addiction symptoms. A sample of 691 Spanish undergraduate leisure exercisers (59% males; M-age = 21.25 years; SDage = 2.94) completed a self-report survey. Two regression analyses employing a maximum likelihood robust estimation method were conducted controlling for the effects of age, gender, BMI, perceived health status, exercise frequency, and risk of eating disorders. In the first regression analysis, depression symptoms (beta = .275) explained a significant amount of variance in exercise addiction symptoms (33%). In the second regression analysis, exercise addiction symptoms (beta = .320) explained a significant amount of variance in depression symptoms (22%). Symptoms of depression and exercise addiction may simultaneously occur among leisure exercisers. These findings suggest the need for further longitudinal research examining the temporal patterns and directionality between depression and exercise addiction.