A Personality Study of Ultra Distance Runners
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Authors
Smith, Merwin G.
Issue Date
1987
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined the psychological traits that distinguish successful ultramarathoners from non-successful ultramarathoners, ultramarathoners from collegiate athletes, and ultramarathoners from fitness-oriented individuals. Participants were obtained from a local 50-mile endurance run (n=54), community college sports team members (n=24), and community college physical fitness classes (n=10). All participants were males. No significant differences were found between successful and non-successful ultramarathon runners. As a group, ultramarathoners ranked high on traits of achievement, endurance, sentience, and understanding. Ultramarathoners had significantly (p<.01) higher values for autonomy and understanding and rated significantly lower on traits of affiliation, aggression, defendance, exhibition, play, social responsibility, and succorance than collegiate athletes. These differences may be due as much to differences in age and maturity as to psychologically determinant traits between the different sports. Further research should center on the psychological traits of ultra-endurance athletes compared to like-aged athletes in other sports.