The Psychological Factors of Exercise Addiction in High-Level Chinese College Soccer Players
Download this article Zhu Lixian *, Zhai Yifei ** and Xiong Xuan **
(*) Sports Science Institution, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
(**) Department of Physical Education, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
Citation
Lixian, Z., Yifei, Z., Xuan, X. (2024). The Psychological Factors of Exercise Addiction in High-Level Chinese College Soccer Players. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 55(4), 368-390. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2024.55.368
Abstract
Exercise addiction (EA) is a pathological behavior exhibited by individuals obsessed with exercise. It seriously affects the daily lives of addicted individuals and endangers their physical and mental health. Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of exercise addiction and the psychological contributors to its formation in high-level college soccer players. Methods: Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by high-level college soccer players in China. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis and conditional process analysis were used to explore the psychological factors and mechanisms underlying the formation of exercise addiction in high-level college soccer players. Results: 1. The prevalence of exercise addiction among college high-level soccer players was 31.3%; 2. Exercise identity, exercise beliefs, and sports participation motivation significantly positively affected exercise addiction (p<.01); 3. Exercise beliefs and sports participation motivation was a substantial mediating factor (p<.01) on exercise identity effects on exercise addiction. Gender showed a significant moderating effect on the influence of exercise identity on exercise beliefs (p<.05). Conclusions: 1. High-level college soccer players are a high-risk group for exercise addiction; 2. Exercise identity, exercise beliefs, and sports participation motivation are predictors of exercise addiction in high-level college soccer players; 3. The exercise identity of high-level college soccer players has both a direct effect on exercise addiction and an indirect effect on exercise addiction by influencing two mediating variables: exercise beliefs and sports motivation participation. Gender moderates the extent to which exercise identity influences exercise beliefs.
Keywords: College; High-Level Soccer Players, Exercise Addiction, Psycholo- gical Factors