Is exercise addiction linked to severe PMS in elite female athletes?

Background and Study Aim. Menstrual issues are increasingly reported among female athletes, particularly those competing at elite levels. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has emerged as one of the conditions that may affect their wellbeing and athletic performance. Despite the use of various approaches to manage PMS, their relative effectiveness in mitigating its detrimental effects remains a matter of practical interest. This study examined the relationship between exercise addiction (EA) and PMS among early adult varsity elite sportswomen. Materials and Methods. Participants were recruited from university sports teams through coordination with official varsity sports departments, resulting in a final sample of 161 early adult varsity elite sportswomen (Mage = 22.0, SD = 1.609) who met all eligibility criteria. Data were collected in person using a demographic information form together with two validated measurement instruments, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) and the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), which were administered in their original English versions to assess PMS symptoms and tendencies toward exercise addiction. Results. Descriptive analyses indicated that symptoms of exercise addiction were highly prevalent in the sample, with 80.1 percent of participants reporting some symptoms and 19.9 percent classified as at risk, while PMS levels were similarly elevated, with 94.4 percent of athletes experiencing severe PMS and 5.6 percent reporting moderate PMS. Hierarchical regression showed a strong positive association between EA and PMS, indicating that higher EA levels were linked to more severe PMS symptoms even after controlling for financial status. Conclusions. These findings highlight the need for more sustainable training strategies. Such strategies may support healthier menstrual wellbeing in early adult varsity elite sportswomen and help prevent addictive exercise patterns.

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