Runners who take to the streets to escape their problems may be at risk of addiction.
One in four casual runners show signs of addiction: missing time with loved ones to run and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to run.
And a study now shows what types of people may be at risk.
The research, which included 227 recreational runners, found the strongest correlation between exercise addiction for former runners and inhibiting negative thoughts.
And people who used to run to improve their lives are more likely to become addicted.
Frode Sttensing, who led the study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: “People who can only run to escape their problems will find that it is bad for them. They have less control over their running if they use it as a coping strategy. , so that they become addicted and even feel shame and depression afterwards. Run.”
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, surveyed runners about their health, symptoms of exercise addiction, and escapist attitudes about running.
Participants who ran two to 15 hours a week were found to be less satisfied with their lives than if they ran to escape their problems.
The questionnaire given to the participants judged their attitude towards running based on how much they agreed with 11 statements about how they felt when running. And those who used to run for a positive outlet were more likely to agree with statements like, “I’m full of positive energy that carries over into other areas of my life.”
Attitudes were associated with some degree of exercise addiction, but people who used running as a negative outlet showed stronger signs of an unhealthy obsession with running.
This was judged by statements such as “I cannot reduce the amount of time I run” and “I would rather play sports than spend time with family or friends.”
“These findings may help people understand their motivations when they run,” said Dr. Stenseng.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Arabic RT
