Exercise addiction and its effects on heart and muscle health in gym-goers
Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise Addiction in Recreational Bodybuilders
This project will test whether adult recreational gym-goers with signs of exercise addiction have more muscle or joint injuries, higher cardiovascular risk factors, and greater anabolic steroid use than those without addiction.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Üsküdar) |
| Trial ID | NCT07061509 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational comparison of adult recreational resistance trainers recruited from randomly selected fitness centers in Istanbul. Participants who have trained regularly for at least six months will be classified as exercise-dependent or non-dependent using the Exercise Dependence Scale-21 (EDS-21). Musculoskeletal symptoms will be measured with the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, cardiovascular risk will be estimated with the SCORE system using blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, and glucose data, and body-image attitudes will be recorded with the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Participants will also be asked about anabolic steroid use and its frequency, and outcomes will be compared between the two groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adult recreational fitness-center members (18+) who do resistance training regularly (about three or more times per week or at least six months of training) and can complete questionnaires and basic health measurements are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Professional/elite athletes, people with diagnosed psychiatric illnesses, and those who do not exercise regularly or cannot complete the assessments are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify gym users at higher risk for injuries, heart-risk factors, and steroid-related harm so clinicians and trainers can target prevention and counseling.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational work has linked exercise dependence to increased injury and substance misuse, but combining standardized musculoskeletal, SCORE cardiovascular risk, and steroid-use data in recreational resistance trainers is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged ≥18 years * Member of a fitness center * Regular physical activity (≥3 times per week) * Voluntary participation with informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed psychiatric illness * Professional or elite athletes * Incomplete questionnaire data
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Üsküdar
- Esra Pehlivan — Istanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Esra Pehlivan, Associate Professor
- Email: esra.pehlivan@sbu.edu.tr
- Phone: +90216 777 87 77
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.