Other Titles
Exploring Exercise Dependence: A Qualitative Study of Filipino Fitness Enthusiasts’ Motivations for Excessive Workouts [Poster Title]
Abstract
More and more people around the globe are motivated to be physically fit and healthy. While a lack of regular physical activity can be a barrier to a healthier lifestyle, too much or excessive exercise may lead to exercise dependence and may pose serious health concerns. Excessive exercise or exercise dependence refers to a maladaptive pattern of exercise which can lead to clinically significant impairment or distress. This qualitative study explores the motivations for excessive exercise and contributing factors to exercise dependence among at-risk Filipino fitness enthusiasts. Using descriptive qualitative research, we conducted in-depth interviews with ten gym regular members from Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and Mandaluyong City, aged 18 years old and above. The ten participants were identified as at-risk based on their high scores on the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised and were purposively chosen to participate in the study. A thematic analysis was used to identify three key themes: 1) motivations for exercise, 2) lack of awareness regarding negative effects of excessive exercise, and 3) maladaptive behaviors. Subthemes included health-related motivations, weight management, and misconceptions about exercise outcomes. Consistent with previous studies, participants are motivated to exercise to avoid health problems, weight management, and benefit from the positive effects of exercise (e.g. “relieve stress”, “develop confidence’, “look younger”). Findings from this study offer insights into the risks associated with exercise dependence and highlight the need for awareness to mitigate its potential impact on health and well-being
Notes
References:
1.Back, J., Josefsson, T., Ivarsson, A., & Gustafsson, H. (2019). Psychological risk factors for exercise dependence. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19(4), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2019.1674902
2.Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
3.Hausenblas, H. A., & Downs, D. S. (2002). How Much is Too Much? The Development and Validation of the Exercise Dependence Scale. Psychology & Health, 17(4), 387–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/0887044022000004894
4.Juwono, I. D., Tolnai, N., & Szabo, A. (2021). Exercise Addiction in Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00568-1
5.Lambert, V., & Lambert, C. (2012). Qualitative Descriptive Research: An Acceptable Design. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 16(4), 255-256 https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Qualitative-Descriptive-Research%3A-An-Acceptable-Lambert-Lambert/92486bcbbfa2ab78c33a34e6002b17823487214d
6.Mungcal, K., Jewel, M., Serrano, J., Ceazar, G., & Tolentino. (2021). Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Sustainable Development, 9(2), 2782–8557. https://research.lpubatangas.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/11-APJMSD-2021-33.pdf
7.Othman, M. S., Mat Ludin, A. F., Chen, L. L., Hossain, H., Abdul Halim, I. I., Sameeha, M. J., & Tahir, A. R. M. (2022). Motivations, barriers and exercise preferences among female undergraduates: A need assessment analysis. PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0264158. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264158
8.Trana, I. (2019). Prevalence and characteristics of exercise dependence among Norwegian men. Handle.net. https://doi.org/733574
9.Vuckovic,V., & Duric, S. (2024). Motivational variations in fitness: a population study of exercise modalities, gender and relationship status. Frontiers in Psychology,15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1377947
10.Vuckovic, V., Krejac, K., & Kajtna, T. (2022). Exercise Motives of College Students after the COVID-19 Lockdown. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 6977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126977
Sigma Membership
Phi Gamma (Virtual)
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Public and Community Health, Stress and Coping, Excessive Exercise, Filipino Fitness Enthusiasts, Philippines
Recommended Citation
Ramos, David Paul Rubia; Habig, Edith Gili; and Guillermo, Jessica May, "Exercise Dependence: A Qualitative Study of Fitness Enthusiasts’ Motivations for Excessive Workouts" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 67.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/67
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Exercise Dependence: A Qualitative Study of Fitness Enthusiasts’ Motivations for Excessive Workouts
Seattle, Washington, USA
More and more people around the globe are motivated to be physically fit and healthy. While a lack of regular physical activity can be a barrier to a healthier lifestyle, too much or excessive exercise may lead to exercise dependence and may pose serious health concerns. Excessive exercise or exercise dependence refers to a maladaptive pattern of exercise which can lead to clinically significant impairment or distress. This qualitative study explores the motivations for excessive exercise and contributing factors to exercise dependence among at-risk Filipino fitness enthusiasts. Using descriptive qualitative research, we conducted in-depth interviews with ten gym regular members from Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and Mandaluyong City, aged 18 years old and above. The ten participants were identified as at-risk based on their high scores on the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised and were purposively chosen to participate in the study. A thematic analysis was used to identify three key themes: 1) motivations for exercise, 2) lack of awareness regarding negative effects of excessive exercise, and 3) maladaptive behaviors. Subthemes included health-related motivations, weight management, and misconceptions about exercise outcomes. Consistent with previous studies, participants are motivated to exercise to avoid health problems, weight management, and benefit from the positive effects of exercise (e.g. “relieve stress”, “develop confidence’, “look younger”). Findings from this study offer insights into the risks associated with exercise dependence and highlight the need for awareness to mitigate its potential impact on health and well-being
Description
This study explores the motivations to exercise dependence among at-risk Filipino fitness enthusiasts. Through in-depth interviews with ten gym members from Alabang and Mandaluyong City, identified through the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised, thematic analysis revealed three key themes: motivations for exercise, lack of awareness of negative effects, and maladaptive behaviors. The findings highlight the need for awareness about the risks of exercise dependence and its health impacts.