Personality and endurance sports

This study examined personality as related to endurance sports. Compared to a group of non-exercisers (n = 73) with similar scores on demographic variables, 86 triathletes and long-distance runners were more extraverted and reported less physical complaints. Groups did not differ concerning Neuroticism and Lie scores. Outstanding athletes (11 hr or more training per week) were more extraverted than average sportsmen (less than 4 hr). Neuroticism was associated with “management of negative affect” and “recreation” as reasons for beginning with endurance sports. Extraversion correlated with improvements due to sporting activity in “goal achievement/success”, whereas intensity of training was associated with positive changes in “physical health”. These results are discussed in terms of psychological processes related to the benefits of endurance sports and with respect to factors that might influence successful performance.