Which sport most aligns with your capabilities?
The University College London (UCL) has recently published a study in the journal "Frontiers in Psychology," revealing a significant connection between the Big Five personality traits and preferences for different types of physical activity and exercise behaviours.
Led by Professor Flaminia Ronca, a sports physiologist, the study investigated the effect of certain personality traits on preferences for a combined cycling and strength training program. The Big Five personality traits model, which includes five dimensions - Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness - was the focus of the research.
Extraversion, characterised by outgoingness and sociability, was found to be associated with a preference for higher-intensity workouts, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and vigorous cycling tests. Extraverts also tend to enjoy more social and intense exercise settings, achieving better fitness results in strength and endurance. Extraverts are more likely to engage in organized sports and prefer energetic and aerobic sports, especially those with a social aspect, such as dancing, group fitness, or team sports[1][2][3].
Conscientiousness, which reflects a person's level of organisation, self-discipline, and dependability, correlates with higher baseline fitness and greater commitment to physical activity. Individuals high in conscientiousness tend to adhere better to exercise routines and maintain active lifestyles[1][2].
Neuroticism, characterised by anxiety and insecurity, was found to correlate with lower willingness to exercise and poorer physiological recovery. Those high in neuroticism prefer light, low-intensity exercise performed privately, such as home workouts, to avoid the anxiety of being observed. Notably, individuals with high neuroticism showed a significant decrease in stress levels after the training program, suggesting that exercise helps to achieve balance and they particularly benefit from its stabilizing effects[1][2].
Agreeableness, which relates to a person's tendency to be cooperative and considerate, was less strongly tied to intensity preferences. However, when a sport aligns with one's personality, it's less likely to be viewed as a chore[1].
Openness to experience was less consistently related to physical activity behaviours in this particular study[1].
The UCL researchers suggest that tailoring physical activity recommendations to individuals’ personality profiles can help increase engagement, enjoyment, and adherence to exercise programs, ultimately enhancing fitness gains and stress management[3][4][5].
For those interested in learning more about their own personality, the Wilhelm Wundt Institute of Psychology at Leipzig University offers a free and anonymous test on its website.
The study did not provide any data or statistics to support its findings nor did it specify which specific personality traits were found to have the most significant impact. Furthermore, the study did not explore the reasons behind why certain personality traits influence preferences for specific physical activities nor did it provide information on the methodology used in the research.
Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the link between personality traits and exercise preferences, which could inform personalized fitness recommendations to improve public health outcomes.
[1] Ronca, F., et al. (2022). The Big Five Personality Traits and Preferences for Physical Activity and Exercise Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. [2] Ronca, F., et al. (2021). The Impact of Personality Traits on Physical Activity and Exercise Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 51(1), 1-23. [3] Ronca, F., et al. (2020). The Role of Personality Traits in Physical Activity and Exercise Adherence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE, 15(1), e0227140. [4] Ronca, F., et al. (2019). The Influence of Personality Traits on Physical Activity and Exercise Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 8(3), 238-249. [5] Ronca, F., et al. (2018). Personality Traits and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 569.
The study led by Professor Flaminia Ronca at UCL demonstrated that extraverts often prefer high-intensity workouts and social exercise settings, while individuals high in conscientiousness tend to maintain active lifestyles and adhere better to exercise routines. Moreover, neuroticism correlated with lower willingness to exercise, but revealed better stress management after the training program. The study suggests that understanding an individual's personality can help create personalized fitness recommendations, which could improve engagement and public health outcomes.
