Relationship among sociodemographic and sport variables, exercise dependence, and burnout: a preliminary study in athletes

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of exercise dependence and athlete burnout and their relationship between them and among demographic and sport characteristics in a sample of 449 Spanish athletes, 320 males and 129 females (Age: M = 19.71; SD = 6.62). All of them replied the Spanish versions of Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised and reduced version of Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. Results of prevalence showed a risk of exercise dependence in 8.7% of the athletes, with statistically significant differences in age (greater exercise dependence was found in athletes under the age of 18 years old), not in gender, sport dedication and type of sport. Regarding burnout, measured through its three dimensions, the data of prevalence showed 4% for emotional/physical exhaustion and 4.9% for sport devaluation and reduced sense of accomplishment. Men and team-sport athletes showed a greater reduced sense of accomplishment. Men and athletes over the age of 18 also showed more sport devaluation. As for sport dedication, participants who spent less time training had higher levels of reduced sense of accomplishment, whereas those who dedicated more time had higher levels of emotional/physical exhaustion. Finally, the relationship between exercise dependence and burnout showed that all dimensions of burnout correlated positively with exercise dependence.