Joggers who run from their troubles risk being addicted

JOGGERS who pound the streets to run away from problems could be at risk from exercise addiction.

Around one in four casual runners show signs of being addicted – giving up time with loved ones to run, and feeling withdrawal symptoms when they cannot jog.

And now a study has revealed the type of people who may be most at risk.

The research, involving 227 recreational runners, found the strongest link with exercise addiction in those who used running to block out negative thoughts. People who jogged just to improve their lives were less likely to become addicted.

While both attitudes were linked to exercise addiction to some degree, those who used running as a negative escape showed stronger signs of an unhealthy obsession with the pastime. Dr Frode Stenseng, who led the study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: ‘People who can’t help but use running to run away from their problems will find it is bad for them. They will be less in control of their running if they use it as a coping strategy, so may become addicted and even feel ashamed and depressed after going for a run.’

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, surveyed runners on wellbeing, symptoms of exercise addiction and escapist attitude towards jogging. Participants – who ran for two to 15 hours a week – were found to have worse life satisfaction if they ran to escape their problems. But those who used running for positive escapism agreed more with sentences like ‘I am filled with positive energy that transfers to other parts of my life’.