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Purpose of Review <p>Exercise addiction (EA) is a maladaptive pattern of compulsive and excessive exercise that mirrors key features of behavioral and substance addictions. While psychological and behavioral characteristics of EA have been extensively studied, its neurobiological underpinnings remain underexplored. This systematic review aims to synthesize current neuroimaging evidence to identify brain structures and mechanisms implicated in EA.</p> Recent Findings <p>Eight eligible studies using neuroimaging techniques were identified through a comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar), following PRISMA guidelines. The findings indicate structural and functional differences in brain regions associated with reward processing, executive control, and emotional regulation, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior frontal gyrus, and amygdala. Lower gray matter volume in the OFC was consistently linked to EA symptoms. Differences in functional connectivity within the default mode network and abnormalities in white matter tracts in frontal-subcortical circuits were also noted, resembling patterns seen in other behavioral addictions.</p> Summary <p>Current neuroimaging evidence supports the view that EA shares neurobiological characteristics with other recognized addictive disorders. These findings reinforce the conceptualization of EA as a behavioral addiction. However, further longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and inform clinical recognition.</p> <p>OSF Registration: <a href="https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9USBP">https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9USBP</a>.</p>

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Exercise Addiction: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Evidence

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月17日

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  • Neha Pirwani,
  • Attila Szabo

摘要

Purpose of Review

Exercise addiction (EA) is a maladaptive pattern of compulsive and excessive exercise that mirrors key features of behavioral and substance addictions. While psychological and behavioral characteristics of EA have been extensively studied, its neurobiological underpinnings remain underexplored. This systematic review aims to synthesize current neuroimaging evidence to identify brain structures and mechanisms implicated in EA.

Recent Findings

Eight eligible studies using neuroimaging techniques were identified through a comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar), following PRISMA guidelines. The findings indicate structural and functional differences in brain regions associated with reward processing, executive control, and emotional regulation, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior frontal gyrus, and amygdala. Lower gray matter volume in the OFC was consistently linked to EA symptoms. Differences in functional connectivity within the default mode network and abnormalities in white matter tracts in frontal-subcortical circuits were also noted, resembling patterns seen in other behavioral addictions.

Summary

Current neuroimaging evidence supports the view that EA shares neurobiological characteristics with other recognized addictive disorders. These findings reinforce the conceptualization of EA as a behavioral addiction. However, further longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and inform clinical recognition.

OSF Registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9USBP.