The Prevalence of Exercise Dependence and Its Relationship With Alexithymic Tendencies in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of exercise dependence and determine the relationship between exercise dependence and alexithymic tendencies in Saudi Arabia. Method: The study utilized a non-experimental, correlational research approach; an online survey was used as the method of data collection, where demographic information, questions about exercise habits, body image, including four items from the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ), the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-21), and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) were administered. Implications: This paper shows that identifying the risk of exercise dependence is vital, as well as possibly considering the level of alexithymia as a marker to calculate the risk of dependence and manage any issues or abnormal behavior that may arise as a result in order to improve mental well-being. Results: The rate of at-risk of exercise dependence was shown to be 12.5%. A low, positive, and significant correlation between exercise dependence and alexithymia (r = .344) was found.