Exercise AddictionNCT07061509
Exercise Addiction and Health Risks in Gym Users
An observational study of Exercise Addiction and Cardiovascular Abnormalities, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with and without exercise addiction. Adult recreational gym users who have been engaging in resistance training for at least six months will be included. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 85 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Addiction, Cardiovascular Abnormalities
- What is being tested?
- Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments
- How many people
- 32 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 29 Jul 2025to 20 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 85 years
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study population will consist of healthy adult individuals aged 18 years or older who are members of fitness centers in Istanbul and have been regularly engaging in resistance or bodybuilding training for at least six months. All participants must exercise at least three times per week and meet the inclusion criteria. Individuals will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence status: those who meet the criteria for exercise addiction and those who do not. Participants with professional athletic status or a diagnosed psychiatric illness will be excluded. The population represents recreational gym users with varying attitudes toward exercise behavior, body image, and supplement use, providing a real-world sample for assessing the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular impacts of exercise addiction.
Who may be able to join
- Aged ≥18 years
- Member of a fitness center
- Regular physical activity (≥3 times per week)
- Voluntary participation with informed consent
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed psychiatric illness
- Professional or elite athletes
- Incomplete questionnaire data
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Erdem Bal contact
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Esra Pehlivan
Istanbul, Üsküdar, 34668
ESRA PEHLİVAN, 02164189616, fztesrakambur@yahoo.com
About this study
Official title: Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise Addiction in Recreational Bodybuilders
This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with and without exercise addiction. Adult recreational gym users who have been engaging in resistance training for at least six months will be included. Participants will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence levels, and outcomes such as musculoskeletal symptoms, anabolic substance use, and cardiovascular risk scores will be compared between groups.
Read the detailed description
The current study will examine the effects of exercise addiction on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in recreational gym users. Exercise addiction is characterized by compulsive training behavior despite physical or psychological harm and is increasingly prevalent among young adults, especially those engaged in bodybuilding.
Participants will be recruited from randomly selected fitness centers in Istanbul and categorized into exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups using the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk will be evaluated using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which considers factors such as blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) will also be applied to assess body image and muscle-related attitudes.
In addition to the physical assessments, participants will be asked about the use of anabolic steroids, and the frequency and patterns of such use will be recorded. The study will aim to raise awareness about the health consequences of excessive exercise and unregulated anabolic substance use, with the goal of informing preventive strategies and guiding future research.
- Conditions
- Exercise Addiction, Cardiovascular Abnormalities
- Being tested
- Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments
- Medical subject headings
- Cardiovascular Abnormalities
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Battery of Physical and Psychological AssessmentsOther
Participants in this observational study will not receive any therapeutic intervention. Instead, all individuals will undergo a series of standardized non-invasive assessments for data collection purposes. These include the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21) to classify exercise addiction status, the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) to evaluate body image and muscle-related attitudes, and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine the presence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms. Cardiovascular risk will be assessed using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which incorporates blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, smoking status, and demographic data. Additional measurements will include oxygen saturation and heart rate using pulse oximetry, and blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. These evaluations are intended solely for comparative analysis between exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-Dependent Group | Participants identified as "exercise dependent" based on scores from the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). These individuals train at least 3 times per week and meet the criteria for exercise addiction. Receives: Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments | |
| Non-Dependent Group | Participants who engage in regular resistance training (≥3 times/week) but do not meet the criteria for exercise addiction, based on EDS-21 scores. Receives: Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological Assessments |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries
Assessment of musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.
Measured: Baseline
Cardiovascular risk score
Evaluation of 10-year cardiovascular risk using the SCORE Risk Assessment System based on systolic blood pressure, smoking status, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
Prevalence of anabolic steroid use
Self-reported use of anabolic agents, type, dose, and duration.
Measured: Baseline
Exercise dependence level
Assessment via the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21).
Measured: Baseline
Drive for muscularity
Assessment with the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS).
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jul 2025
- Study start29 Jul 2025
- Primary completion20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise AddictionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, ESRA PEHLIVAN, Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07061509
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ExerciseAdd-1
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise Addiction in Recreational Bodybuilders
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07061509
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ExerciseAdd-1
- Conditions
- Exercise Addiction, Cardiovascular Abnormalities
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 29 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with and without exercise addiction. Adult recreational gym users who have been engaging in resistance training for at least six months will be included. Participants will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence levels, and outcomes such as musculoskeletal symptoms, anabolic substance use, and cardiovascular risk scores will be compared between groups.
Detailed description
The current study will examine the effects of exercise addiction on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in recreational gym users. Exercise addiction is characterized by compulsive training behavior despite physical or psychological harm and is increasingly prevalent among young adults, especially those engaged in bodybuilding.
Participants will be recruited from randomly selected fitness centers in Istanbul and categorized into exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups using the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk will be evaluated using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which considers factors such as blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) will also be applied to assess body image and muscle-related attitudes.
In addition to the physical assessments, participants will be asked about the use of anabolic steroids, and the frequency and patterns of such use will be recorded. The study will aim to raise awareness about the health consequences of excessive exercise and unregulated anabolic substance use, with the goal of informing preventive strategies and guiding future research.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-Dependent Group | – | Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological AssessmentsParticipants identified as "exercise dependent" based on scores from the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). These individuals train at least 3 times per week and meet the criteria for exercise addiction. |
| Non-Dependent Group | – | Other: Battery of Physical and Psychological AssessmentsParticipants who engage in regular resistance training (≥3 times/week) but do not meet the criteria for exercise addiction, based on EDS-21 scores. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study population will consist of healthy adult individuals aged 18 years or older who are members of fitness centers in Istanbul and have been regularly engaging in resistance or bodybuilding training for at least six months. All participants must exercise at least three times per week and meet the inclusion criteria. Individuals will be divided into two groups based on their exercise dependence status: those who meet the criteria for exercise addiction and those who do not. Participants with professional athletic status or a diagnosed psychiatric illness will be excluded. The population represents recreational gym users with varying attitudes toward exercise behavior, body image, and supplement use, providing a real-world sample for assessing the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular impacts of exercise addiction.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Aged ≥18 years
- Member of a fitness center
- Regular physical activity (≥3 times per week)
- Voluntary participation with informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosed psychiatric illness
- Professional or elite athletes
- Incomplete questionnaire data
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Battery of Physical and Psychological AssessmentsParticipants in this observational study will not receive any therapeutic intervention. Instead, all individuals will undergo a series of standardized non-invasive assessments for data collection purposes. These include the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21) to classify exercise addiction status, the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) to evaluate body image and muscle-related attitudes, and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine the presence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms. Cardiovascular risk will be assessed using the SCORE Risk Assessment System, which incorporates blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, smoking status, and demographic data. Additional measurements will include oxygen saturation and heart rate using pulse oximetry, and blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. These evaluations are intended solely for comparative analysis between exercise-dependent and non-dependent groups. | Other | Exercise-Dependent Group, Non-Dependent Group |
Primary outcome
Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries
Time frame: Baseline
Assessment of musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.
Cardiovascular risk score
Time frame: Baseline
Evaluation of 10-year cardiovascular risk using the SCORE Risk Assessment System based on systolic blood pressure, smoking status, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
3 secondary outcomes
Prevalence of anabolic steroid use
Time frame: Baseline
Exercise dependence level
Time frame: Baseline
Drive for muscularity
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jul 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Erdem Bal contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Exercise Addiction and Cardiovascular Abnormalities, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Esra Pehlivan, Associate Professor (+90216 777 87 77, esra.pehlivan@sbu.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Jul 2025.