Open AccessElite athletes are higher on Grit than a comparison sample of non-athletes
Author(s) -
Line From,
Dorthe Kirkegaard Thomsen,
Martin Hammershøj Olesen
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of sport and exercise psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2596-741X
DOI - 10.7146/sjsep.v2i0.115111
Subject(s) - grit , conscientiousness , athletes , elite , elite athletes , psychology , personality , big five personality traits , clinical psychology , social psychology , physical therapy , medicine , political science , politics , law , extraversion and introversion
This study examines whether grit and conscientiousness distinguish elite-sport performers from a comparison sample of non-athletes. Participants were 128 elite athletes and 1701 adults recruited through a human resource company. Both groups filled out short-form questionnaires measuring grit and conscientiousness. Consistent with expectations, there was a high positive correlation between grit and conscientiousness and the elite athletes reported higher grit than the non-athletes. Contrary to expectations, the non-athletes scored higher on conscientiousness compared to the elite athletes. The importance of grit for attaining elite status in sport is discussed.