Exercise Addiction and Health Risks in Gym Users

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Exercise Addiction; Cardiovascular Abnormalities

• Registration Number: NCT07061509
• Lead Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with and without exercise addiction. Adult recreational gym users who have been engaging in resistance training for at least six months will be included. Participants will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence levels, and outcomes such as musculoskeletal symptoms, anabolic substance use, and cardiovascular risk scores will be compared between groups.

Detailed Description

The current study will examine the effects of exercise addiction on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in recreational gym users. Exercise addiction is characterized by compulsive training behavior despite physical or psychological harm and is increasingly prevalent among young adults, especially those engaged in bodybuilding.

Participants will be recruited from randomly selected fitness centers in Istanbul and categorized into exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups using the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk will be evaluated using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which considers factors such as blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) will also be applied to assess body image and muscle-related attitudes.

In addition to the physical assessments, participants will be asked about the use of anabolic steroids, and the frequency and patterns of such use will be recorded. The study will aim to raise awareness about the health consequences of excessive exercise and unregulated anabolic substance use, with the goal of informing preventive strategies and guiding future research.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-02
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-11
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-11
• Study Start: 2025-07-20
• Primary Completion: 2026-07-20
• Study Completion: 2026-07-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged ≥18 years
• Member of a fitness center
• Regular physical activity (≥3 times per week)
• Voluntary participation with informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed psychiatric illness
• Professional or elite athletes
• Incomplete questionnaire data

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries	Baseline	Assessment of musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.
Cardiovascular risk score	Baseline	Evaluation of 10-year cardiovascular risk using the SCORE Risk Assessment System based on systolic blood pressure, smoking status, cholesterol, and blood glucose.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prevalence of anabolic steroid use	Baseline	Self-reported use of anabolic agents, type, dose, and duration.
Exercise dependence level	Baseline	Assessment via the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21).
Drive for muscularity	Baseline	Assessment with the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Esra Pehlivan; 🇹🇷 İstanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey