The Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire

By Thompson, J. K. & Pasman, L.

 

Directions:

Listed below are a series of statements about people’s exercise habits. Please circle the number that reflects how often you could make the following statements:

 

1 – NEVER            2 – SOMETIMES            3 – USUALLY            4 – ALWAYS

 

1.      I engage in physical exercise on a daily basis.                                                                     1    2     3    4

2.      I engage in one/more of the following forms of exercise: walking,           

jogging/running or weightlifting.                                                                                           1    2     3    4

3.      I exercise more than three days per week.                                                                          1    2     3    4

4.      When I don’t exercise I feel guilty.                                                                                      1    2     3    4

5.      I sometimes feel like I don’t want to exercise, but I go ahead and push                

myself anyway.                                                                                                                  1    2     3    4

6.      My best friend likes to exercise.                                                                                         1    2     3    4

7.      When I miss an exercise session, I feel concerned about my body               

possibly getting out of shape.                                                                                              1    2     3    4

8.      If I have planned to exercise at a particular time and something unexpected         

comes up (like an old friend comes to visit or I have some work to do that

needs immediate attention) I will usually skip my exercise for that day.                                 1    2     3    4

9.      If I miss a planned workout, I attempt to make up for it the next day.                                    1    2     3    4

10.  I may miss a day of exercise for no good reason.                                                                  1    2     3    4

 11.  Sometimes, I feel a need to exercise twice in one day, even though I

may feel a little tired.                                                                                                            1    2     3    4

12.  If I feel I have overeaten, I will try to make up for it by increasing the

amount I exercise.                                                                                                                1    2     3    4

13.  When I miss a scheduled exercise session I may feel tense, irritable

or depressed.                                                                                                                      1    2     3    4

14.  Sometimes, I find that my mind wanders to thoughts about exercising.                                    1    2     3    4

15. I have had daydreams about exercising.                                                                                1    2     3    4

16.  I keep a record of my exercise performance, such as how long I work

out, how far or fast I run.                                                                                                      1    2     3    4

17.  I have experienced a feeling of euphoria or a “high” during or after

an exercise session.                                                                                                              1    2     3    4

18. I frequently “push myself to the limits.”                                                                                  1    2     3    4

19.  I have exercised when advised against such activity (i.e. by a

doctor, friend, etc.)                                                                                                              1    2     3    4

20.  I will engage in other forms of exercise if I am unable to engage in

my usual form of exercise.                                                                                                    1     2    3    4

Items 8 and 10 are reverse-keyed.

 

 

The scale takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Items 8 and 10 are reverse scored. All other items indicate higher endorsement of and engaging in obligatory exercise behaviors. This measure has been psychometrically validated on ninety subjects. The internal consistency ratio was 0.96 and the test-retest reliability (two weeks) was also 0.96.

 

Sources:

 Pasman, L. J. & Thompson, J. K. (1988). Body image and eating disturbance in obligatory runners, obligatory weightlifters, and sedentary individuals. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 7 (6), 759-769.

Also, see Ackard et al., (2002). Eating Disorders: 10, 31-47, for a recent psychometric evaluation of this paper, or contact John J. Steffen at: steffejj@email.uc.edu

 

For information on the scale, please contact:
J. Kevin Thompson, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University of South Florida
PCD 4118G
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa FL 33620-8200.

Phone numbers:
# (813) 974 0367 (office)
# (813) 974 8346 (lab)

E-mail:
thompson@chuma1.cas.usf.edu