PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE DEPENDENCE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Excessive physical exercise combined with certain psychic and sociodemographic factors can lead to dependence. Objective: To examine which factors lead to the emergence of exercise dependence. Methods: Sample consisted of 103 men (mean age 27.3 years, SD 6.127) who performed exercises at gyms at least three times a week in the last year or more in Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Raska and Tutin, Serbia. Participants completed questionnaires and took appropriate tests. Results: Our results showed that there is no association between exercise dependence and financial status, number of siblings, level of education, family stability, health, and medication use among the interviewees. However, it was found that the degree of exercise dependence is associated with marital status and problems with the law. Regression analysis showed that body dysmorphia, body mass index and aggressiveness are better predictors of exercise dependence. Conclusion: People whose self-perception is dismorphic have lower self-esteem, and exercise in gyms to improve their physical appearance. If we consider other characteristics, such as unfavorable BMI, problems with the lаw and being single, it is hardly surprising these individuals cross the line between healthy exercise and exercise dependence. An important finding is that aggressiveness and exercise dependence are related to problems with the law due to aggression, and body dysmorphia. Level of Evidence; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test. RESUMO Introdução: O exercício físico em excesso combinado com certos fatores psíquicos e sociodemográficos pode ocasionar dependência. Objetivo: Examinar quais fatores levam ao surgimento de dependência do exercício. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 103 homens (média de idade 27,3 anos, DP 6,127) que faziam exercícios em academia pelo menos três vezes por semana no último ano ou mais, em Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Raška e Tutin, na Sérvia. Os participantes responderam questionários e fizeram testes apropriados. Resultados: Nossos resultados mostraram que não há associação entre dependência do exercício e situação financeira, número de irmãos, grau de escolaridade, estabilidade familiar, saúde e uso de medicação nos entrevistados. Contudo, verificou-se que grau de dependência do exercício é associado ao estado civil e a problemas com a lei. A análise de regressão mostrou que dismorfia corporal, índice de massa corporal e agressividade são preditores melhores de dependên