ECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH22
Introduction The relative age effect (RAE) represents a selection bias favouring individuals born earlier in a selection period (e.g., January–March) over those born later (e.g., October–December). Despite being highly prevalent in elite youth sports, research increasingly highlights a relative age reversal at the adult and professional levels. While various theoretical positions have been proposed for this reversal, there is a notable lack of empirically supported psychological explanations for its effects. Methods Elite male Australian youth soccer players (n = 388) completed a battery of lab-based, soccer-specific perceptual cognitive tests (e.g., anticipation, pattern recall) and the Short-Grit Scale (Duckworth et al., 2009) at age 14 yrs (M age = 13.8, SD = .8) in October 2013. Players were categorised into 4 quartiles of the selection year; Q1 (Jan – March), Q2 (April – Jun), Q3 (July – Sept) and Q4 (Oct – Dec). All players were then followed up 10 years after (January 2024) initial data collection to establish their current expertise status (professional, semi-professional, drop-out). Results A higher percentage of late born players (Q4) reached professional status and fewer dropped out from football than earlier born peers (Q1). Relatively younger player (Q4) scored higher on measures of grit (p = .001) and its sub factors consistency of interest (p < .001), and perseverance of effort (p < .05) compared to Q1 players. They also scored higher on lab-based tests of perceptual-cognitive skill including knowledge of situational probabilities (p = .01), and pattern recognition (p = .04), but not anticipation or decision making (p’s > .05) Discussion Although the relative effect appears to persist in adulthood, it is noteworthy that Q4 players are proportionately more likely to advance to professional status and less likely to drop out than earlier born players. Thus, indicating an earlier filtration process for late born players. Findings also provide empirical evidence to support psychological explanations for the relative age reversal effect amongst a sample of highly skilled football players. Late born players were grittier and appeared to have higher game intelligence skills than early born players, suggesting that these psychological factors may act as compensatory mechanisms against their purported chronological disadvantages.
Read CV David HendryECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH22
Objectives: Multi-marathoning is a sport for athletes dedicated to completing 100 or more marathons. This study investigates the distinct personality traits of multi-marathoners, compares them to public norms, and identifies specific groupings that highlight potential risks, vulnerabilities, and strengths. The findings also explore the implications of these traits on participation, performance, and overall well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting the global multi-marathon community, utilising the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) (1). The study included 593 survey respondents (56% men, 44% women; mean age = 53.87 years, SD = 9.91) with an average marathon completion count of 146.52 from 22 countries, capturing the diverse demographic of the global multi-marathon community. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U tests, ANOVA Aligned Rank Transform (ART) tests, and Spearman’s ρ correlations. These correlation analyses were further supplemented with data from a previous study on the demographics and behaviors of multi-marathoners, which included information on motivation, injuries and recoveries, diet, and chronic health conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure. (2). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was then used to identify subgroups with shared personality traits. Results: LCA identified four latent groups, each exhibiting unique combinations of high conscientiousness, low emotional stability, low openness, and varying levels of agreeableness and extraversion. Compared to the general population, multi-marathoners demonstrated significantly higher conscientiousness (F(1,591) = 2.42, p < 0.001) and lower emotional stability (F(1,591) = 5.525, p < 0.001). Across all age groups and genders, agreeableness and emotional stability were notably lower (p < 0.001). Women showed higher conscientiousness and agreeableness than men. ANOVA ART tests revealed significant age-related differences in extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability (p < 0.05), with post-hoc analyses confirming that women had significantly higher agreeableness (W = 50809, p < 0.001). Conclusion: High conscientiousness reflects the self-discipline of multi-marathoners, while low emotional stability indicates potential challenges in stress management. The identified latent groups reveal vulnerabilities, such as increased risks of stress and injury, highlighting the need for interventions like resilience training. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and the validation of short-form assessment tools to better support well-being (1, 2). Key References: 1. Gosling SD, Rentfrow PJ, Swann WB Jr. A very brief measure of the Big-Five personality domains. Journal of Research in Personality. 2003;37(6):504-28. 2. Lundy L, Reilly RB. Demographics, culture and participatory nature of multi-marathoning-An observational study highlighting issues with recommendations. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0302602.
Read CV Leo LundyECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH22
Introduction Posture reflects the way the body positions itself and moves in space. It is a complex expression of our being, influenced by internal (psychological and emotional) and external (cultural and social) factors. The aim of the present empirical study was to investigate the connection between perceived posture in everyday contexts (home, school and technology-related habits) and individual personality by integrating the theoretical perspectives of embodied cognition, emotional expression, and kinesthesia. Methods The online questionnaire Posture and Personality, based on a 1-5 Likert scale, was submitted to a representative sample of 37 students (F 21; M 16) - randomly selected from a group of 150 students from three secondary schools – aged about 18 years old and the data collected were processed using the statistical software RStudio. The Posture and Personality Questionnaire is the combination of two questionnaires already validated in scientific literature (Schwertner et al. 2018 and Morizot, 2014). The self-report was administered online (by WhatsApp, Instagram) via QR Code distribution. Results The results indicated significant correlations between perceived posture and specific personality traits, such as: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness to experience. In particular, among many significant data, neuroticism emerged as the most influential variable in determining individuals’ total posture (r=.87; p<.0001) and extraversion as the relevant trait in postural control in the classroom (r=.71; p<.001), while conscientiousness acquired greater importance in the transport of objects (r=.79; p<.001). The use of technology related with posture showed that the neuroticism variable is associated with a contracted posture when using digital devices (r=77; p<.001), while conscientiousness favours a more ergonomic attitude (r=73; p<.001). Conclusions The statistical analysis revealed interesting dynamics between personality trait variables and the different postural contexts under examination. The neuroticism variable stands out as the most influential in determining participants’ total posture, suggesting consistence in its cross-sectional effects on various aspects of daily posture. The analysis conducted showed that the types distinguishing individual’s personality can help us predict the outcome of their posture in daily contexts. The results suggest the importance of considering the body, particularly the sensorimotor system, as an integral part of the mental system, in line with embodied cognition approaches. Movement education would improve not only young people’s awareness of their posture, but it could also promote active lifestyles, healthy habits and increasingly widespread emotional well-being among students.
Read CV Alessandra NartECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH22