Tailoring your workout routine to align with your personality can significantly enhance your commitment to your training regimen, according to new research.
The study, led by Professor Flaminia Ronka at University College London, found that individuals who derive enjoyment from sports are more likely to maintain their participation. This indicates that a customized fitness plan is more effective than a generic approach.
“If you don’t follow that, there’s no point in prescribing the ideal exercise plan,” Ronka stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
“Fun is crucial for behavioral change. To encourage the population to be more proactive, a strategic approach is essential in identifying enjoyable activities for individuals.”
This study explored the impact of personality traits on preferred types of exercise.
Researchers categorized participants based on the five major personality traits: agreeableness (willingness to cooperate), conscientiousness (self-discipline and detail orientation), extraversion (sociability), neuroticism (tendency toward anxiety or unhappiness), and openness (willingness to try new things).
The findings suggested that individuals who are more sociable enjoy engaging in intense workouts, particularly those that involve social interactions like team sports and dance classes, implying that many can find enjoyment in vigorous aerobic activities.
Conversely, those who are higher in neuroticism preferred privacy and were less comfortable being observed while completing the 15-minute cycling exercise used to assess fitness levels. Moreover, they were also less inclined to monitor their heart rate during workouts.
“This indicates that individuals in this category may value a setting that allows for independence and privacy during their exercise routine,” Ronka explained. Participants in this group typically favored more calming exercises, such as stretching, yet remarked that “high intensity was acceptable as long as breaks were allowed.”
All participants who adhered to the program reported positive outcomes, but the more anxious individuals particularly stood out.
“These participants exhibited a notably significant reduction in stress following the exercise program,” Ronka noted. “This is encouraging, as it highlights that those who experience the greatest stress relief are highly responsive to exercise.”
To examine how personality influences exercise habits, this study required participants to engage in an eight-week home fitness program involving cycling and strength training.
Fitness levels were assessed at both the beginning and end of the program, during which participants completed a questionnaire to evaluate their personality type and attitudes toward exercise.
Not all personality types exhibited strong inclinations. Agreeable and open individuals did not show a preference for a specific type of exercise.
“Nonetheless, agreeableness and openness can influence how we participate in health behaviors in different ways, such as the types of exercises we are willing to try,” Ronka added.
“As long as you do not enjoy a specific session, don’t worry,” she concluded. “You can always try something different.”
About our experts
Flaminia Ronka is an associate professor at the Institute of Sports, Exercise, and Health at the University of London. Her research focuses on motor neuroscience and the connection between movement and cognition. Ronka also collaborates with British police to enhance officer wellbeing and performance.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
