The role of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety on compulsive exercise in adolescents

Background and objectives: The role of anxiety as a risk factor for compulsive exercise elements among adolescents is unclear. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), which is a risk feature for anxiety and eating disorders, may be an important, unexplored risk factor for compulsive exercise dimensions. This study aimed to examine the role of IU dimensions and anxiety on compulsive exercise elements. Given previous evidence indicating gender differences in compulsive exercise and IU levels, gender was included as a moderator.

Design/methods: A total of 201 adolescent girls and 207 adolescent boys completed the following questionnaires: Eating Disorder Inventory-3, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), a brief version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET).

Results: The hierarchical regression analyses showed that the interaction between IUS-Prospective and gender emerged as a significant predictor of CET-Avoidance and CET-Weight control exercise beyond symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety. Post hoc analysis revealed that the IUS-Prospective was a significant predictor of CET-Avoidance and CET-Weight Control among boys, but not among girls.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that prospective IU may contribute towards obsessive-compulsive attitudes towards exercise among adolescent population, specifically among boys.