A Systematic Review on Exercise Addiction and the Disordered Eating-Eating Disorders Continuum in the Competitive Sport Context

Abstract Exercise addiction (EA) affects a considerable number of individuals who regularly perform exercise-sport activities. The co-occurrence EA manifestations and the continuum disordered eating-eating disorders (EDs) is so common in sports that deeper understanding them as comorbidities warranted. aim this review to provide an up-to-date overview synthesis research on relationship between maladaptive exercise dysfunctional eating sport context. A systematic was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. total 22 empirical studies (23 articles) with young adult female male athletes from several competition levels included. conjunction disturbances frequent among athletes, yet prevalence rates are inconsistent. Existing evidence suggests relevant outcome ED pathology supporting classical secondary type EA. However, also reveals excessive exercising plays central role psychopathology eating. There need for further quantitative addressing features correlates EA-EDs dyad, qualitative subjective experiences eating, longitudinal experimental establish possible causal paths attempts develop comprehensive conceptual models its EDs, order improve identification, prevention, management dyadic condition