Medical Scientist-Programm 2026

Thema: "Towards a multidimensional characterization of exercise addiction: Clinical characteristics, physical fitness, and autonomic and neural signatures"

Zusammenfassung:
Exercise addiction (EA) is characterized by compulsive, dysregulated exercise behavior that persists despite physical, psychological, or social harm. EA shares core features with recognized behavioral addictions; for instance, when individuals with EA are unable to exercise, they develop withdrawal symptoms similar to those observed in other addictions. Still, EA is currently not included in either the ICD-11 or DSM-5. A major problem in its classification is the lack of empirical evidence from clinically diagnosed samples, as most studies rely on screening questionnaires that do not adequately distinguish maladaptive exercise from high but healthy engagement. Moreover, the neurobiological and physiological mechanisms underlying EA remain largely unexplored. In particular, no study has examined withdrawal-related negative affect and autonomic regulation in clinically diagnosed EA. The present project aims to provide a multidimensional characterization of exercise addiction by integrating clinical diagnostics, physical fitness, autonomic recordings, and resting-state fMRI under exercise withdrawal. By combining these levels of analysis in a diagnostically well-characterized sample, the project will help distinguish maladaptive from healthy endurance exercise behavior. Furthermore, it will identify potential neurological and autonomic markers and may, in the long run, support earlier identification and inform hypothesis-driven intervention and prevention strategies.