EEG correlates of exercise dependency

Jacobs' (1986) proposition that dependency is the result of two sets of predisposing factors (one of which is either an excessively depressed or excited resting physiological state) was examined in relation to exercise dependency by investigating EEG characteristics of subjects committed to fitness regimes. EEG records of three groups of subjects who differed in terms of degree of dependency were studied under resting conditions both pre- and post-exercise. The results indicated that although there were no differences between groups in terms of relative power in each of five EEG bandwidths covering the range 0 to 30 Hz, the power distribution within the alpha (7.5–13 Hz) bandwidth was significantly different for high dependent and non-dependent groups under both the pre- and post-exercise conditions. While the distribution was skewed toward the lower alpha frequencies for the low dependent group, it was skewed toward the higher frequencies for the high dependent group with the distribution for a group with high involvement but low dependency falling between these extremes. This finding is taken as partial support for Jacobs' notion that dependency is associated with greater physiological excitation in the resting state.