PERSONALITY AND INJURIES IN HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS

Abstract

Rosendo Berengüí , Francisco J. Ortín , Enrique J. Garcés de Los Fayos y María D. Hidalgo

In the study of sports injuries the personality play a prominent position, by the influence of particular traits on the occurrence thereof. In addition, high-performance sports are high-demanding which involve exposure to multiple risk factors, including psychological risk factors. This study analyses the role of personality on injuries of elite athletes. The sample is composed by 38 athletes, members of their respective national teams. Personality was assessed using 16PF-5 and injuries were recorded with an ad-hoc questionnaire. Results show significant correlations between the number of injuries and Tension and Social Boldness scales. Considering the type of injury, athletes with overuse injuries have higher scores in Vigilance, Privateness and Self-Reliance, and lower scores in Dominance, Rule-Consciousness and Self-Control. Regarding the mechanism of injury, athletes injured by overloading show higher scores on Vigilance, Tension and Anxiety than other athletes injured.