A review of personality research in sport

Abstract

Background and aim. The significant role of personality in sport is often emphasized. The purpose of this article is to review the research in sport psychology that has contributed to the understanding of relationships and potential avenues for research into personality traits in sport. Matherial and method. The collected material consisted only of the works of sports psychologists available in Poland. The method of source materials analysis was used. Analysis with deductive reasoning and synthesis with inductive reasoning were used. Results. The results of research on: the relationship between personality and sports discipline, the role of personality in combat, individual and team sports, the influence of personality on sports performance and motor skills, accidental studies of personality in sports and health psychology, developmental psychology, dietetics, and gender are presented. Conclusions. Physical and sports activity affects the personality of people who train. Personality traits relate to long-term sport success, interpersonal relationships, and mental states of athletes before, during and after competition. In addition, they refer to the use of leisure time, strength and mobility in old age, and unhealthy, addictive physical behavior.

Keywords

• sport psychology
• personality
• sport
• research