Exercise For Good Health Or Exercise Addiction for Seniors

If you’ve been exercising for years but are now beginning to wonder whether it’s a sign of an addiction, read this article. We’ll talk about the symptoms, treatment options, and comorbidities that could be contributing factors. The key is to recognize the signs and symptoms of exercise addiction in seniors. Listed below are some of the critical indicators. If you notice any of these signs, seek help today.

Exercise addiction

A literature review of senior citizens reveals a troubling trend: an increased risk of exercise addiction. This problem is more prevalent in athletes and individuals who engage in endurance sports or ball games. In contrast, it is less common in those who engage in more aesthetic exercises. The prevalence of exercise addiction varies widely by sport and assessment tools, but overall, it is not uncommon for people to engage in excessive activity for various reasons.

Although some people who have an exercise addiction can cut back on their physical activity, they cannot do so without the need for structure in their lives. Whether an individual is addicted to exercise for mental, emotional, or physical benefits, the symptom of exercise addiction is the same: they are losing control of other important priorities in their lives. They have a hard time attending family gatherings, balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities.

Signs and symptoms

Generally, people who have exercise addictions spend more time at the gym and become more exhausted when they aren’t working out than they should. They may also suffer from poor physical performance and experience withdrawal symptoms. Exercise addiction is a severe problem, and it can have a detrimental effect on both mental and physical health. For seniors, seeking treatment should be the first step. Ultimately, a healthy amount of exercise is beneficial for the body, but if it becomes a daily ritual, it can lead to various problems.

While exercise addiction isn’t recognized in the DSM, increasing evidence indicates it is a severe disorder. Symptoms of exercise addiction include a lack of control over one’s behavior, excessive spending on exercise, and a tendency to ignore physical injuries. It can even affect interpersonal relationships. It is essential to seek treatment for exercise addiction as early as possible to prevent more severe complications and a lifetime of health problems.

Treatment options

Exercise addiction in seniors can be a problem, and treatment options vary. It will become so severe that the individual loses interest in other activities in some cases. In other cases, a person will spend a significant amount of time exercising daily despite being exhausted, ill, or injured. In either case, treatment for exercise addiction requires a thoughtful and strategic intervention. The person with the problem needs to recognize and acknowledge the problem and seek treatment.

One option for treating exercise addiction in seniors is to get a residential stay at a rehab center. The residential treatment method can isolate a person from the daily stress, allowing them to focus solely on wellness and overcoming the problem. A residential program will include individual counseling and group sessions to address the underlying emotional reasons for exercise addiction. Treatment can also teach healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms. However, because exercise addiction is not officially recognized as a mental health disorder by the DSM-5, some managed care plans will not cover the cost of residential treatment.

Comorbidities

In this special issue, we explore the role of physical activity in older adults and the underlying causes of sarcopenia and other age-related illnesses. The key findings from this issue highlight the value of exercise as a preventive therapy, counteracting sarcopenia and improving physical performance and activities of daily living. Promoting physical activity is a significant public health and clinical issue, and the core issue concerns how to get older adults with comorbidities to engage in regular physical activity.

The researchers found a higher prevalence of exercise addiction among people who engaged in ball games, handball, or other physical activities that required physical exertion. This risk was lower among people who engaged in endurance sports such as running, cycling, swimming, and other individual disciplines. Interestingly, men were more likely to experience exercise addiction symptoms than women, and men were more likely to be physically active if they were divorced or unmarried.

Prevalence

A recent study determined the prevalence of exercise for good health among senior citizens in 417 adults. The majority (51%) were females. Exercise activities included endurance/antigravity sports and weight category sports. The remaining subjects were involved in aesthetic, non-physical activities like sports, dance, ice skating, handball, and other sports. The survey was validated by Cronbach’s alpha, which indicates a high degree of reliability.

There are several causes of exercise addiction. Researchers have found that as many as 3% of people who practice sports and exercise for pleasure are at risk. There is an increased risk for exercise addiction among fitness center customers, especially those who work out in a gym or participate in ball games. The risk of exercise addiction is higher in athletes who compete in extreme sports, such as ultramarathon running.