Cognitive inflexibility moderates the association between drive for muscularity and dysfunctional exercise in men

Abstract

Objective: Drive for muscularity, a concern with meeting societal standards for a highly muscular physique, is a rising concern among men. Dysfunctional exercise is associated with drive for muscularity and leads to a myriad of negative physical and psychosocial outcomes. Cognitive inflexibility, a difficulty adapting to changing circumstances, is a transdiagnostic mechanism across psychiatric conditions, including dysfunctional exercise. This study evaluated cognitive inflexibility as a moderator of the relationship between drive for muscularity and dysfunctional exercise in men.

Methods: Undergraduate men (n = 243, 53.5% White) completed self-report measures assessing drive for muscularity, dysfunctional exercise, and general and domain-specific cognitive inflexibility. Moderation analyses assessed whether cognitive inflexibility moderated the relationship between drive for muscularity and dysfunctional exercise.

Results: Cognitive inflexibility specific to food/exercise and weight/shape moderated the relationship between drive for muscularity behaviors and dysfunctional exercise (R² = 0.01, 0.03 respectively). General cognitive inflexibility did not moderate the relationship. Attitudes (r(237) = 0.25, p < .001) and behaviors (r(237) = 0.53, p < .001) related to a drive for muscularity were positively associated with dysfunctional exercise.

Conclusion: Results suggest that domain-specific cognitive inflexibility amplifies the risk of dysfunctional exercise in men with a high drive for muscularity. Findings suggest that interventions targeting cognitive inflexibility may help mitigate the risk of problematic exercise in this population.

Keywords: Cognitive flexibility; Drive for muscularity; Dysfunctional exercise.