Addiction to Excercise – Who’s Responsible. Through the Lens of Behavioral Science and Legal Responsibility

Exercise is universally praised for its physical and mental health benefits, however, when pursued compulsively, obsessively, and uncontrollably, it can spiral into Exercise Addiction (EA), resulting in self-harm and negative consequences. This review explores EA through behavioral and legal lens, noting its increasing relevance in sport psychology and public health. However, its absence from major diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 reflects ongoing significant scientific and measurement limitations. The review critically examines the legal complexities surrounding personal responsibility and institutional accountability, particularly within high-performance sports environments where authority figures may knowingly or unknowingly exploit compulsive training behaviors. Drawing from legal doctrines such as mens rea, duty of care, and respondeat superior, the paper expands on the regulatory clarity, public education, and early interventions for uncontrolled compulsive training behaviors. By integrating insights from addictionology, clinical understanding, academic research, law, and sports science, it calls for a more wholistic awareness and legal protection (wherever required). Finally, this review argues for a paradigm shift—where the pursuit of performance does not eclipse the imperative for balanced wellbeing, autonomy, and justice.