Mechanisms Involved in the Developement of Sports Addiction Among Military Personnel

Sport addiction (or exercise addiction) has been recognized as a pathology by the World Health Organization since 2011. However, it is still relatively under-researched. It is one of the so-called behavioral addictions and has long-term negative consequences for physical, psychological and social health, such as : isolation ; frequent injuries; co-addiction with or as a result of sports'.

The study is aimed in particular at military physicians and will target a population where sport is an integral part of the job and where sporting performance is valued: military personnel.

The aim of this study is to explain and try to understand this pathology through the experiences of those who suffer from it. Therefore, investigators have chosen to conduct a qualitative study inspired by the embedded theory. Semi-structured individual interviews will be conducted using an interview guide. This guide, consisting of 5 or 6 open-ended questions, will help to set the general direction of the interview without preventing the participant from deviating. The interview guide may evolve as the interviews progress, enriched by any new ideas or themes that emerge.