body building

Body building dependence appears to affect male and female body builders equally, despite previous claims that it is predominantly a male problem.

This was a key finding of a UK study set up to test the validity of the nine-item body building dependence scale, correlate it with previously validated exercise dependence measures and investigate differences between men and women and between competitive and non-competitive bodybuilders.

The researchers, from University College Chester, point out that, although exercise dependence appears to be common among bodybuilders, it has received far less attention from research psychologists than dependence in distance runners and other aerobic performers.

‘However,’ they point out, ‘many differences exist in the motivations and psychological characteristics of bodybuilders compared with other exercising populations. Therefore, the results of this exercise dependence research cannot necessarily be generalised to bodybuilders.’

A total of 285 bodybuilders were divided into four categories – male and female competitive bodybuilders and male and female non-competitive bodybuilders – to complete the following:

• The body building dependence scale (BDS) – a nine-item measure incorporating three subscales: social dependence, training dependence and mastery dependence;
• The exercise dependence questionnaire (EDQ) – a 29-item measure designed to assess the extent of exercise dependence and incorporating such factors as interference with social life, withdrawal symptoms, exercise for weight control and stereotyped behaviour;
• The muscle dysmorphia inventory (MDI) – a 27-item questionnaire, measuring distorted body image (whereby people see themselves as punier – in this case – than they actually are).

Analysis of the data provided strong support for the three-factor model of body building dependence. ‘It therefore appears,’ comment the researchers, ‘that this phenomenon is indeed multifaceted, involving dependence on the social aspects of body building training (social dependence), the actual weight training itself (training dependence) and a desire to exert control over training schedules (mastery dependence).’

The validity of the BDS was strongly supported by significant correlations with the MDI subscales and with five of the eight EDQ subscales.

As the researchers had hypothesised, the competitive bodybuilders scored significantly higher on all three BDS subscales than their non-competitive counterparts. ‘Preparing for body building competition is an extremely arduous activity,’ they point out, ‘and those who possess an obsessive attitude towards their body building are far more likely to participate in such competition than bodybuilders whose approach is more casual.’

Less expected was the finding that body building affects male and female bodybuilders (whether competitive or non-competitive) in equal measure.

Previous claims that muscle dysmorphia and exercise dependence are a predominantly male concern in western society may be unfounded, conclude the researchers. ‘Therefore, doctors and sport psychologists should be alert to possible exercise dependence in female bodybuilders who present with relevant symptoms such as overuse injuries, severe withdrawal symptoms when unable to train, training when ill or injured, and training interference with family and friends.’

Br J Sports Med 2004;38:17-181