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The Role of Personality in Exercise and Sports

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corralesjdelle
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4 views

The Role of Personality in Exercise and Sports

Uploaded by

corralesjdelle
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Role of personality in Exercise and sports

- Personality itself can influence many aspects of sport performance and behaviour, some
of which may well be out of the athlete's cognitive control.
- Its is very complex especially in the the aspect of of sports and exercise psychology. In
recent studies, personality is said to be beneficial on the over all performance of an
individual engaging in sport and physical activity.
- It is considered that personality relates to the specific traits a person displays. A trait is a
characteristic, which can be related to a person, for example ‘laziness’. Therefore
Peterson (1998) suggests that is a combination of these traits which results in personality.
As with any construct in psychology there are numerous theories behind personality.

According to my research, there are 5 key-based traits/personality that can affect the
performance of an atlete or individual to sports and exercise, namely the Big Five Model
(Goldberg, 1981).

This includes
- Neuroticism
- Extraversion
- Openness
- Agreeableness
- Conscientiousness

1. Neuroticism (Anxiety and Tension vs. Emotional Stability)

- Individuals who are highly neurotic tend to experience elevated levels of anxiety and
tension, which could affect their performance in sports and exercise activities. They may
be more susceptible to stress-related injuries or burnout.
- On the other hand, individuals with emotional stability are better equipped to handle
pressure and setbacks. They are more likely to remain focused, maintain composure
during competitions, and recover from failures, which can improve their overall
performance and enjoyment of physical activities.

2. Extraversion (Sociability and Enthusiasm vs. Introversion):

- Extraverted individuals thrive in social settings and may gravitate towards team sports
or group fitness classes where they can interact with others and draw energy from the
environment.
- Introverted individuals, on the other hand, may prefer individual sports or solitary
exercises like running or yoga, where they can focus inwardly and recharge in a quieter
environment.

3. Openness (Adaptability and Curiosity)

- People who show high levels of openness in their personality tend to be more flexible
and inquisitive. They are more willing to experiment with different sports and exercise
routines. They often enjoy exploring different styles of workout, techniques, and training
methods to keep their fitness routine interesting and challenging.
-Their curiosity and openness to new experiences can lead to improved creativity in
designing fitness plans that cater to their changing interests and objectives.

4. Agreeableness (Kindness and Cooperativeness):

- Those high in agreeableness value cooperation and teamwork, making them excellent
team players in sports. They are likely to support their teammates, communicate
effectively, and contribute positively to the group dynamic.
- Their kind and cooperative nature can create positive relationships with coaches,
teammates, and competitors, creating a harmonious and supportive environment for
training and competition.

5. Conscientiousness (Discipline and Organization):

- Conscientious individuals excel in sports and exercise due to their disciplined approach
and strong organizational skills. They are more likely to stick to a workout schedule, set
meaningful goals, and track their progress effectively.
- Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and structured training regimens
can lead to consistent improvement, success in competitions, and long-term adherence to
a healthy and active lifestyle.

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