The Relationship Between the Facets of Extraversion and Exercise Habits

Abstract

The majority of adults in the US do not meet recommended levels of physical activity (Wilson & Dishman 2014). Research suggests that there could be a link between these low levels of physical activity and poorer mental health. (Davis, et al 2021). Previous research has suggested that personality traits like extraversion, neuroticism, and (as defined by the Big Five Personality Traits) can have a moderating effect on the relationship of physical activity enjoyment and habit. The current study seeks to observe the relationship between the extraversion personality trait and exercise habits. Participants consisted of Belmont University students enrolled in Scientific Psychology, General Psychology, or Introduction to Psychological Science courses. Participants filled in a Qualtrics survey assessing their levels of gregariousness, assertiveness, excitement-seeking, and positive emotion (facets of extraversion), as well as their exercise habits (frequency, intensity, preference of group or individual activities, and reason for exercise motivation). We hypothesize that levels of gregariousness will positively correlate with preference of group-based activities, levels of assertiveness will positively correlate with a preference for higher intensity activities, levels of excitement-seeking will positively correlate with frequency of high intensity exercises, higher levels of positive emotion will be associated with exercising for enjoyment, and levels of extraversion overall will positively correlate with frequency of exercise. The implications of this study suggest that understanding your own personality can do more than affect your relationships, and knowing what works best for your personality may allow you to achieve greater fitness success