Psychometric evaluation of the compulsive exercise test (CET) in an adolescent population: links with eating psychopathology

Objective: Compulsive exercise describes a rigid, driven urge to exercise that has been reported in different populations, including eating disorder patients. This compulsion can develop at an early age and yet the measurement of compulsive exercise in adolescents is limited by inappropriate assessment techniques. This study aimed to psychometrically evaluate the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) in a sample of adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of 1012 adolescents aged 12–14 years old, who completed the CET, the Commitment to Exercise Scale (CES), and selected subscales from the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Results: Results confirmed the original five-factor solution of the CET. The CET’s concurrent validity with the CES, as well as the convergent validity with the EDI-2, was established. The CET was not strongly related to exercise frequency. Conclusion: The CET appears to be valid and reliable for use with adolescents. Replication with an adolescent clinical eating disorder sample is now required.