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Table 2 Clinical interview for assessment of compulsive exercise

From: Compulsive exercise in eating disorders: proposal for a definition and a clinical assessment

Element of definition

Clinical interview question

A1. Excessive exercise that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.

Do you have to exercise over and over again and can’t resist doing so?

For clarification (if needed): Do you feel bad if you cannot exercise as you usually do? Is there a fixed exercising routine that you have to follow?

A2. The exercise is aimed at preventing some dreaded consequence or at preventing or reducing distress, often based on distorted beliefs about exercise

Why do you have to exercise? What would happen if you did not exercise?

B. The compulsive exercise is time-consuming (takes more than 1 hour a day), significantly interferes with the person’s daily routine, occupational functioning or social relationships or is continued despite medical injury, illness, or lack of enjoyment.

How much time do you spend exercising?

What effect does your exercise behavior have on your life?

Do you continue exercising when sick or injured?

Does your exercise behavior bother you a lot?

C. At some point during the course of the disorder the person has recognized that the compulsive exercising is excessive or unreasonable.

Do you exercise more than you should or that makes sense?