New research published in Frontiers in Psychology has shown that different personalities prefer different types and intensities of exercise. Aligning exercise routines with one’s personality leads to better fitness and less stress.
The study included 132 participants with a range of backgrounds and fitness levels. The participants were assigned one of two groups for eight weeks: the first group was assigned an exercise program with a mix of cycling and strength training, and the second group was a resting control group. At the start of the study, all participants had their baseline fitness, perceived fitness levels, and personalities tested. During the intervention, participants were asked to rate their enjoyment of each exercise session, and their fitness was tested again at the end of the eight-week trial. The goal of the study was to determine whether personality could help predict fitness levels, exercise enjoyment, and exercise engagement in the general population.
The results showed that personality traits could reliably predict baseline fitness levels and enjoyment of different levels of exercise intensity. Conscientiousness was linked to higher fitness levels and more hours per week of physical activity. Extroversion was linked to higher peak oxygen capacity, which is an indicator of aerobic fitness. Neuroticism was linked to poorer heart rate recovery. In terms of exercise intensity preferences, extroverts preferred higher intensity levels, while neuroticism was linked to a preference for short bursts of activity rather than prolonged efforts. Conscientious people had high fitness but did not prefer one type of activity over others, potentially because they are motivated by health benefits rather than enjoyment.
The authors noted that these results could be used to tailor exercise programs to specific individuals. For example, extroverts may be more likely to succeed in an HIIT class, while neurotic individuals might prefer a private cycling program in their homes. By matching personalities with exercises, individuals are more likely to stick with their program and improve their health.
Sources: Frontiers in Psychology, Science Daily