Exploring the Pathways to Exercise Addiction Risk: The Role of Impulsivity and Body Image–Related Variables

Physical exercise, when performed excessively and dysfunctionally, can develop into a behavioral addiction, giving rise to exercise addiction (EA). This study was aimed at integrating two perspectives within the field of EA, considering, on the one hand, a per sonal trait usually associated with addictions—i.e., impulsivity—and, on the other hand, attitudes and behaviors related to body image. A total of 418 individuals (54% female; mean age = 30.76 years, SD = 13.08) participated in the study. To analyze the mechanisms through which the examined variables were connected to EA vulnerability, a path analysis was conducted, controlling for gender and age. The results indicated that both impulsivity and body image–related variables were associated with EA risk. Given gender differences, structural invariance across groups was tested using a multi-group path analysis. These findings contributed to a deeper understanding of this still scarcely studied phenomenon, guiding future research and suggesting practical implications.