Abstract

Previous research has identified a positive relationship between athletic performance and the personality trait of extraversion. In addition, previous research has demonstrated that a higher degree of extraversion has been associated with a faster movement time during reactionary tasks. To date, previous research has not examined if these observed relationships occur during a sport-related movement, such as a counter movement jump (CMJ). If a relationship between extraversion and CMJ performance were to exist, this may provide mechanistic reasoning for the previously identified relationship to athletic performance. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between extraversion and CMJ performance. Twenty-nine (22.6 ± 2.3 yrs) recreationally-active females volunteered to participate in this study (63.7 ± 8.2 kg; 166.4 ± 6.6 cm). The degree of extraversion was measured via the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) and CMJ performance was measured using a Myotest® Sport unit. Bivariate Pearson correlations were utilized to examine the relationship between extraversion and CMJ performance. Extraversion was not significantly correlated with any measures of CMJ performance (p> .05). These results suggest that the previously observed relationship between extraversion and athletic performance is not attributed to a relationship between extraversion and CMJ performance. Rather, it is possible that individuals who exhibit a high degree of extraversion may utilize different coping skills or motivational sources in order to achieve greater athletic performance than individuals who exhibit a lower degree of extraversion. In addition, a different underlying physiological mechanism may still remain unidentified. Verf.-Referat