[LUM#9] Exercise to preserve your personality
Physical activity not only sculpts your figure, it also shapes your personality. A study conducted by researchers at the Euromov shows that a lack of physical activity is associated with an unfavorable evolution of certain personality traits.
What factors are associated with changes in our personality over the course of our lives? To better understand how we evolve, health psychology researcher Yannick Stephan and his colleagues at the University of Florida studied data from three American cohorts(Physical activity and personality development over twenty years: evidence from three longitudinal sampels). The researchers assessed the personalities of almost 10,000 volunteers who were followed for 20 years. Participants also provided regular information on their lifestyle habits, including their level of physical activity.
When we studied these data, we found that those who reported a very low level of physical activity saw their personality traits change over time," explains Yannick Stephan. More precisely, inactivity was associated with a decline in conscientiousness".
According to the model of the five central personality traits (see box), conscientiousness reflects a tendency to be organized, self-disciplined, always thinking before acting. Those with a low level of conscientiousness tend to be impulsive, lazy and disorganized.
Conscientious character
Conscientiousness is the personality trait most closely linked to health," explains the psychologist. It is estimated that a low level of conscientiousness is associated with a 40% increased risk of all-cause mortality ". This link is naturally explained by behaviours and lifestyle habits: " being conscientious leads to adopting fewer risky behaviours - tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet... which limits the risk of associated diseases and preserves better health ". Through the same mechanisms, this personality trait is also linked to the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
In this case, are there ways of improving conscientiousness in order to preserve health? " This is precisely one of the findings of this study: those with a very low level of physical activity, i.e. less than one or two physical activity sessions per month, showed a decline in the conscientiousness trait. We can therefore assume that regular physical activity would help to maintain a high level of conscientiousness, and therefore also better health."
Correcting "pathogenic" personality traits
It has long been known that physical activity is beneficial to health, but this study shows that this benefit also manifests itself in personality changes. In fact, the researchers found that physical inactivity was also associated with lower levels of extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness. " Sedentary people tend to isolate themselves, which limits social interaction and affects these personality traits," explains Yannick Stephan.
Sport to improve body and mind? " It ' s entirely possible to imagine intervention programs centered on the introduction of sporting activities to attenuate personality traits considered 'pathogenic' and reinforce those that are protective", suggests the researcher. A further argument to get everyone moving, even as existing incentive programs struggle to gain traction. "It is estimated that a quarter of the world's population is totally inactive, a figure that has not changed since 2001," notes Yannick Stephan. Move a little, you'll be more conscientious, and you'll live better.
The big five
Psychological researchers have defined five central traits used to describe and study personality. This so-called Big Five model is based on the following traits:
- Emotional instability: tendency to be anxious, angry or depressed. Conversely, a low level of emotional instability means that people are calmer, with fewer negative feelings.
- Conscientiousness: a tendency to be organized, self-disciplined, always thinking before acting. Conversely, a person with a low level of conscientiousness will be impulsive, lazy and disorganized.
- Extraversion: a tendency to be very sociable and enthusiastic, and to seek out sensations. Conversely, a low level of extraversion characterizes people who are more self-effacing and less dependent on interaction with others.
- Openness to experience: a tendency to be intellectually curious, imaginative and creative. Conversely, a person with little openness to experience tends to have restricted interests and may be resistant to change.
- Agreeableness: a tendency towards empathy and altruism. Conversely, those with a low level of agreeableness show little concern for the well-being of others.
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