A new research from the University College London (UCL) has found that your personality might be the secret to finding an exercise routine you actually enjoy.
The study suggests that extroverts naturally gravitate towards high-intensity workouts, while those prone to anxiety, categorised “worriers,” might be better off avoiding the treadmill, The Telegraph reported.
UCL experts used the widely recognised “Big 5” personality model — encompassing extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness — to explore how dominant traits influence exercise preferences.
The study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, revealed several intriguing connections.
Dr Flaminia Ronca, of UCL’s surgery and interventional science and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, said: “We found some clear links between personality traits and the type of exercise the participants enjoyed most, which I think is important because we could potentially use this knowledge to tailor physical activity recommendations to the individual – and hopefully help them to become and remain more active.”
Extroverts, characterised by their energetic and outgoing nature, were found to enjoy high-intensity physical activity. Conversely, individuals scoring high in neuroticism — a trait associated with stress, anxiety, and mood swings — showed a preference for short bursts of activity rather than prolonged exertion.
Interestingly, participants with neurotic tendencies also preferred to exercise without being monitored or having their heart rate recorded, hinting at a desire for space and independence during their workouts.
The research involved 132 participants whose strength and stress levels were measured before they were assigned to an eight-week programme of either cycling and strength training or a resting control group.
Throughout the programme, participants rated their enjoyment of each exercise, with fitness levels re-evaluated upon completion.
Conscientious individuals, known for their orderliness and reliability, consistently scored higher in aerobic fitness and core strength, and were generally more physically active.
However, their enjoyment didn’t lean towards one specific exercise type.
Researchers suggest this is likely due to their for health outcomes rather than enjoyment, implying exercise “may be less about enjoyment than because it was good for them.”
