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Diskuze v psychologii X:X | DOI: 10.5507/dvp.2026.003

Compulsive Exercise: Relationships with Personality Traits and Implications on Mental Health

Jiří Svoboda
Katedra psychologie FF UP, Křížkovského 10, 779 00 Olomouc, Česká republika

Compulsive exercise (CE) represents a complex phenomenon characterized by rigid adherence to exercise regimens, the prioritization of physical activity over other areas of life, and pronounced psychological manifestations such as feelings of guilt, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. This article focuses on the multidimensional nature of compulsive exercise, its behavioral and affective components, and, in particular, its associations with personality traits such as perfectionism, neuroticism, narcissism, low self-esteem, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Furthermore, the comorbidity with mental disorders-especially eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder, and anxiety-depressive disorders-is discussed.

Keywords: compulsive exercise, personality traits, mental disorders, eating disorders

Received: October 22, 2025; Revised: April 13, 2026; Accepted: April 14, 2026; Prepublished online: April 28, 2026 

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