If you find it difficult to stay motivated at the gym, a new study suggests that matching your workouts to your personality type could lead to more consistent, more rewarding sessions.
Researchers at University College London found that personality traits influence exercise enjoyment and preference. The study was published on July 7 in the journal Frontiers in Psychology .
"We could potentially use this knowledge to tailor physical activity recommendations to the individual — and hopefully help them to become and remain more active," said Flaminia Ronca, PhD, first author of the study, in an accompanying press release .
The study compared participants' baseline fitness levels and fitness outcomes, along with enjoyment and exercise preferences, across the five major personality trait domains.
While everyone's personalities are unique, these core traits have been widely used by researchers for decades.
"It's an innovative study because they are exploring a novel idea: How someone's personality could indicate how they exercise," said Brad Donohue, PhD, a professor of psychology and creator of The Optimum Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS) at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
"The findings really get you thinking. If someone is introverted or extroverted , maybe that is something they should consider when it comes to a workout routine," he added. Donohue was not involved in the research.
The researchers examined how the Big Five personality traits influence key aspects of an exercise routine. For example, do certain traits correlate with a preference for higher- or lower-intensity workouts?
They recruited 132 volunteers from the general public, representing diverse backgrounds and fitness levels. Participants were randomly assigned to an eight-week exercise program — combining cycling and strength training — or to a control group that performed brief stretching sessions. Baseline fitness was measured via tests such as push-ups, planks, and VO2 max .
Source: Visit website
No comments:
Post a Comment