Personality and Motivating Factors Influencing Adult Participation in Vigorous Physical Activity

Abstract The Adjective Check List and a questionnaire were administered to 60 adult male Caucasians; the men were divided into two equal groups — participants and nonparticipants in vigorous physical activity. Results disclosed significant differences between the groups on eight scales. Participants scored significantly higher on: Intraception, Number of Favorable Adjectives Checked, Defensiveness, Achievement, Dominance, and Self-Confidence, whereas nonparticipants were superior on Succorance and Counseling Readiness. An examination of the personal descriptions relevant to these eight scales revealed more extroverted traits among the participants and more introverted traits among the nonparticipants when intergroup comparisons were made. Members of the participant group stated that the primary reason or motivation for regular participation was the desire to keep physically fit and the associated feeling of well-being. The nonparticipants stated that the primary reason for not participating regularly was the feeling of lack of time due to business reasons.