Predicting exercise dependence in athletes and non-athletes

Athletes may be more vulnerable than non-athletes to exercise dependence due to their exercise motives (Hausenblas & McNally, 2004). Media exposure to magazines targeting and featuring athletes may increase body dissatisfaction (Botta, 2003), which in turn predicts exercise dependence (McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2004). However, no studies have examined whether exercise motives and media exposure predict exercise dependence in collegiate athletes and non-athletes, or whether these factors may differ between the two groups. Three hundred twenty one students completed exercise dependence, exercise motives, and media exposure scales. Results showed predictors of exercise dependence in athletes included: exercising for enjoyment, exposure to mass media, exposure to general magazines, and internalizing what an athlete should look like based on athletic images in magazines. In non-athletes, predictors of exercise dependence included: exercising for improved mood, exercising for fitness, and internalizing what an athlete should look like based on athletic images in magazines.