Athletic identity, compulsive exercise and eating psychopathology in long-distance runners

Abstract

Having a high athletic identity is thought to increase vulnerability for compulsive exercise and Eating Disorder (ED) psychopathology. This study examined whether there is an association between athletic identity and levels of compulsive exercise and ED psychopathology in long-distance runners. A sample of 501 long-distance runners completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) and Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ). There was a significant positive association between participants' AIMS and total CET scores (moderate effect size; r = .34 for males and .33 for females). BMI did not influence the relationship between AIMS and CET scores in males. However, for females, AIMS scores were positively associated with levels of weight control exercise when covarying for BMI (small to medium effect size, r = .22). No significant associations with EDEQ scores were found (negligible to small effect sizes; r = .06 for males and r = .14 for females). Following replication, coaches might need to be vigilant to the welfare of endurance runners that have a strong athletic identity, since this could be linked to them exercising compulsively. Future work should examine whether having a strong athletic identity predicts ED psychopathology when this identity is challenged (e.g., due to injury).

Low Energy Availability in Athletes 2020: An Updated Narrative Review of Prevalence, Risk, Within-Day Energy Balance, Knowledge, and Impact on Sports Performance

“…Recent research describes how compulsive exercise behaviour is associated with symptoms of disordered eating behaviour, perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive characteristics in long-distance runners of both sexes [48]. We encourage further exploration of the relationship between compulsive exercise behaviour and RED-S, since individuals demonstrating compulsive exercise behaviour may be at greater risk of the negative health outcomes associated with low EA [48].…”

“…These conditions are associated with perfectionism as well as compulsive exercise behaviour, coupled with the inability to reduce training load [47] and can lead to unfavourable outcomes such as injury and emotional distress [47]. Recent research describes how compulsive exercise behaviour is associated with symptoms of disordered eating behaviour, perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive characteristics in long-distance runners of both sexes [48]. We encourage further exploration of the relationship between compulsive exercise behaviour and RED-S, since individuals demonstrating compulsive exercise behaviour may be at greater risk of the negative health outcomes associated with low EA [48].…”

“…Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression can result in or contribute to disordered eating behaviour and low EA in athletes [1]. Moreover, it has been suggested that compulsive exercise behaviour could increase vulnerability to negative health and performance outcomes [48]. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, mainly due to the absence of studies investigating associations between compulsive exercise, disordered eating behaviour symptoms and biomarkers of RED-S, there appears to be an opportunity to improve athlete health and performance.…”

Detecting Eating Psychopathology in Female Athletes by Asking About Exercise: Use of the Compulsive Exercise Test

“…Cross‐sectional investigations have demonstrated close links between compulsive exercise and eating psychopathology in athletes (Plateau, McDermott, Arcelus, & Meyer, ) and also between compulsive exercise and other known risk factors for eating psychopathology (e.g. athletic identity and perfectionism; Egan et al, ; Madigan, Stoeber, & Passfield, ; Turton, Goodwin, & Meyer, ). Whilst further longitudinal research is needed to establish temporal and aetiological relationships, existing evidence suggests that compulsive exercise is a relevant feature related to eating psychopathology in athletes.…”

Teammate influences, psychological well‐being, and athletes’ eating and exercise psychopathology: A moderated mediation analysis

“…That said, the current findings need to be considered in the context of some limitations. Although age and BMI were controlled for, it is acknowledged that there are a number of additional covariates (e.g., perfectionism; Madigan, Stoeber, & Passfield, ; athletic identity; Turton, Goodwin, & Meyer, ) that could have contributed to the findings of this study. In addition, while a three wave prospective design increases confidence in the temporal precedence of variables, the true causal role of teammate influences can only be definitively established using experimental research designs.…”