Scientists have identified a link between perfectionism and sports with the risk of dependence on training

A study by an international group of scientists has shown that perfectionism and sports activities increase the risk of developing dependence on physical exercise. This was reported on January 12 in the journal Medical Xpress.

The study involved more than one thousand young people aged about 25 years, of whom 65% were men. Participants, both athletes and nonathletes, were interviewed about their physical activity habits, personality traits, and motivation.

To analyze the data, the scientists used artificial intelligence methods that can identify complex relationships between psychological and behavioral factors.

"We know that exercise is important for health, but when it becomes compulsive, it can have serious physical, psychological and social consequences," explained Thomas Zandonai, a Ramon y Cajal researcher in the Department of Pharmacology, Pediatrics and Organic Chemistry.

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The results showed that perfectionism is the strongest predictor of addiction, followed by the desire to lose weight, gain muscle mass, and exercise intensity. These patterns persist for both professional and amateur athletes, although signs of risk are more common among amateurs than among people who practice sports exclusively for themselves.

A professor at the University Psychiatric Hospital and co-author of the study emphasized that if physical activity causes stress or interferes with daily life, it is recommended to contact specialists.

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