A recent study has found that young men who struggle to adapt their thoughts and behaviors related to body image and exercise are significantly more likely to develop unhealthy exercise habits—especially if they have a strong desire to build muscle. The findings, published in Eating Behaviors and reported by PsyPost, highlight a psychological factor that might help explain why some men in Thailand and around the world develop dangerous exercise routines or compulsions.
The research is especially relevant in Thailand, where western ideals of muscularity, beauty, and fitness have gained popularity among youth, fueled by social media, fitness influencers, and the booming supplement industry. Local gyms and fitness centers in Bangkok and other major cities are seeing a surge in young men pursuing intense workout regimens, often motivated by images of “perfect” physiques portrayed in popular culture. These trends raise important questions about the mental health and wellbeing of Thailand’s next generation, and this new study offers crucial insight.
Conducted among 243 male undergraduate students, the study focused on two main psychological traits: the “drive for muscularity”—or a strong motivation to achieve a lean, muscular body—and “cognitive inflexibility,” defined as difficulty adapting one’s thinking or actions in the face of changing circumstances. Using standardized questionnaires, researchers found that men who were highly inflexible about their body shape, weight, food, or exercise, and who also had a strong drive to be muscular, were much more likely to engage in “dysfunctional exercise.” This includes excessive training despite injury, rigid adherence to exercise routines even when inappropriate, or making exercise the central focus of life to the detriment of wellbeing.
As summarized by the study’s lead researchers, “Results suggest that domain-specific cognitive inflexibility amplifies the risk of dysfunctional exercise in men with a strong drive for muscularity. Findings point to the potential benefits of interventions targeting cognitive inflexibility to help mitigate this risk.” This means that the problem isn’t necessarily the desire to be muscular itself, but rather the inability to adapt or adjust fitness routines in a healthy and flexible way.
Understanding cognitive inflexibility is critical in the Thai context. In traditional Thai culture, the concept of “kreng jai” (consideration for others) and pragmatism often encourage compromise and adaptability. However, as Thai youth become immersed in global media that promotes rigid standards of male attractiveness and discipline, some may adopt inflexible attitudes toward body image and fitness—a recipe for unhealthy patterns. Researchers caution that this psychological rigidity, when paired with high motivation for muscle-building, may set the stage for exercise that is driven by anxiety or obsession rather than enjoyment or health.
The study’s innovative methodology, using the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Eating Disorder Flexibility Index Questionnaire, and the Exercise Dependence Scale–21, provided nuanced insights. Crucially, it wasn’t general stubbornness or cognitive inflexibility that increased risk, but specific inflexibility about issues like food, weight, and exercise. For instance, a student who believes there is only one “right” body shape, or one “perfect” workout routine, may be less able to adjust plans when tired, injured, or facing other life challenges, therefore pushing himself towards exercise patterns that can harm physical or mental health.
Dysfunctional exercise has been linked in previous research to increased injuries, anxiety, depression, and even eating disorders such as muscle dysmorphia—a growing concern among Thai medical professionals in urban settings. In highly competitive Bangkok schools and universities, where body image pressures are pronounced, counselors are seeing more cases of students driven by a compulsion to achieve unrealistic physical ideals. Physicians and mental health specialists from leading Thai hospitals have warned about the dangers of “exercise addiction,” noting a spike in young men presenting with stress fractures, sleep disorders, or extreme dietary restrictions. “In our clinics, we are seeing young men who overtrain and ignore injuries—often influenced by the belief that they must never miss a workout, or that pain means progress,” observed a Bangkok-based clinical psychologist specializing in youth mental health.
The researchers acknowledge limitations: because the study focused on male undergraduates in one country, the findings may not generalize across all backgrounds or age groups. Still, the psychological pattern identified—domain-specific inflexibility amplifying risk—can inform preventive strategies in Thailand’s universities, gyms, and online spaces. Campaigns to promote flexible thinking about health, encourage variety in fitness routines, and challenge black-and-white beliefs about body shape or masculinity could help reduce risk, especially in Thai communities where Confucian, Buddhist, and Western values intersect in complex ways.
Looking ahead, experts recommend practical steps for Thai students, teachers, and gym owners: Foster open discussion about body image ideals and the dangers of rigid exercise routines, emphasize listening to the body and adjusting for injuries, and provide psychological support for those showing signs of preoccupation with appearance or exercise. University counseling centers and youth wellness organizations should consider screening for cognitive inflexibility as a risk factor for exercise-related distress. National mental health campaigns already target eating disorders in women; it is time for parallel attention to young men, whose struggles may be less visible but equally serious.
For Thai readers concerned about themselves or friends, experts suggest self-reflection: Are you able to skip a workout without feeling extreme guilt? Do you adjust your fitness routine based on energy levels, injuries, or social obligations—or do you persist rigidly regardless of harm? If the latter, it may be time to seek advice from a mental health professional, fitness coach, or trusted community leader.
For further reading, see the full research summary at PsyPost and consider consultation with health professionals skilled in eating and exercise disorders in Thailand. Cultivating a balanced, flexible approach to fitness is not only better for physical health but also essential for long-term happiness and self-acceptance in a fast-changing Thai society.