Excercise Addiction and Criminal Liability in Europe – a Behavioral Science Perspective on Identified Legal Responsibility and Institutional Accountability

Exercise addiction, classified as a behavioral disorder characterized by compulsive, excessive physical activity accompanied by psychological dependence – poses unique challenges at the intersection of clinical psychology, behavioral neuroscience, and criminal law. Although not yet formally recognized as a distinct disorder in major diagnostic systems such as the DSM-5 or ICD-11, its emerging clinical profile is increasingly associated with significant psychosocial dysfunction, somatic harm, and behavioral dysregulation. This paper examines the intersection between exercise addiction and criminal law in Europe, applying a behavioral science lens to analyze the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of compulsive exercise and their implications for legal responsibility, victimization, and institutional regulation. Grounded in empirical findings on impulse-control disorders, reward system dysregulation, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum behaviors, the study interrogates the extent to which individuals suffering from exercise addiction possess the requisite mens rea (criminal intent) when their behaviors result in harm – to themselves, to dependents, or in cases of third-party coercion within structured environments. It further explores how criminal law frameworks across European jurisdictions conceptualize agency, culpability, and coercion when addiction-related conduct leads to bodily injury, neglect, or psychological abuse, particularly within highperformance sports, rehabilitation centers, or educational institutions. A comparative analysis of national criminal codes, case law, and regulatory practices reveals significant legal ambiguity in addressing cases where compulsive behavior interacts with criminally relevant outcomes. Of particular concern is the legal vacuum surrounding institutional actors (e.g., coaches, trainers, or sports administrators) who facilitate or exploit addictive exercise patterns for performance or commercial gain, raising questions of criminal negligence, abuse of power, and failure of duty of care. This paper argues that current European criminal law insufficiently incorporates behavioral science insights into assessments of intent, autonomy, and diminished responsibility in addiction-related cases. It advocates for a biopsychosocial framework in legal evaluations, alongside clearer statutory definitions and regulatory oversight, particularly within the sports and fitness industries. By synthesizing findings from behavioral research and criminal jurisprudence, this study calls for a more nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to the legal treatment of exercise addiction – one that respects both the complexity of addiction as a behavioral pathology and the normative imperatives of justice and public protection.