Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program
IntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine if personality can predict physical fitness, enjoyment of exercise by intensity, and engagement in an exercise program in the general population.MethodsParticipants were assigned to either an 8-week home-based cycling and strength training intervent...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1587472/full |
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| author | Flaminia Ronca Benjamin Tari Cian Xu Paul W. Burgess |
| author_facet | Flaminia Ronca Benjamin Tari Cian Xu Paul W. Burgess |
| author_sort | Flaminia Ronca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine if personality can predict physical fitness, enjoyment of exercise by intensity, and engagement in an exercise program in the general population.MethodsParticipants were assigned to either an 8-week home-based cycling and strength training intervention or a resting control group.ResultsPersonality traits were strong predictors of baseline fitness levels, and of enjoyment of different exercise intensities. For example, conscientiousness predicted greater general fitness and more weekly hours of physical activity, whereas extraversion and neuroticism predicted higher V̇O2peak and poorer heart rate recovery, respectively. Extraversion also predicted greater enjoyment of highest intensity activities, whereas neuroticism predicted lower enjoyment of activities which required sustained effort. Importantly, those who scored high on neuroticism benefited the most from potential stress-reducing effects of aerobic training.DiscussionThese findings provide insight into how personality can determine engagement with physical activity, and the degree to which one enjoys different forms of exercise, thus aiding the development of tailored exercise programs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ffa2d44d6ae94f24997863cd01fbe6b6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffa2d44d6ae94f24997863cd01fbe6b62025-08-20T04:02:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15874721587472Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training programFlaminia Ronca0Benjamin Tari1Cian Xu2Paul W. Burgess3Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, United KingdomInstitute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, United KingdomInstitute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United KingdomInstitute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United KingdomIntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine if personality can predict physical fitness, enjoyment of exercise by intensity, and engagement in an exercise program in the general population.MethodsParticipants were assigned to either an 8-week home-based cycling and strength training intervention or a resting control group.ResultsPersonality traits were strong predictors of baseline fitness levels, and of enjoyment of different exercise intensities. For example, conscientiousness predicted greater general fitness and more weekly hours of physical activity, whereas extraversion and neuroticism predicted higher V̇O2peak and poorer heart rate recovery, respectively. Extraversion also predicted greater enjoyment of highest intensity activities, whereas neuroticism predicted lower enjoyment of activities which required sustained effort. Importantly, those who scored high on neuroticism benefited the most from potential stress-reducing effects of aerobic training.DiscussionThese findings provide insight into how personality can determine engagement with physical activity, and the degree to which one enjoys different forms of exercise, thus aiding the development of tailored exercise programs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1587472/fullBig Fivephysical activityneuroticismexercise tailoringfitness |
| spellingShingle | Flaminia Ronca Benjamin Tari Cian Xu Paul W. Burgess Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program Frontiers in Psychology Big Five physical activity neuroticism exercise tailoring fitness |
| title | Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| title_full | Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| title_fullStr | Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| title_full_unstemmed | Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| title_short | Personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most, and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| title_sort | personality traits can predict which exercise intensities we enjoy most and the magnitude of stress reduction experienced following a training program |
| topic | Big Five physical activity neuroticism exercise tailoring fitness |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1587472/full |
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