(54) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRIT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Regular engagement in physical activity (PA) is beneficial for physical and mental health.  Current PA guidelines suggest participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity PA per week.  However, only half of Americans meet these guidelines. Failure to participate in PA is multifactorial with some researchers hypothesizing that personality characteristics may contribute to the issue.  Some evidence supports that the personality trait of grit may be positively associated with participation in PA.  Grit is defined as passion and perseverance toward a long-term goal.

Purpose: A systematic review was performed to synthesize current literature reporting the relationship between grit and measures of PA participation.

METHODS: A systematic search of literature was conducted from October 2022 to January 2023 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, CINHAL, Sport Discus, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences) were searched using relevant terms to the topic independently by 2 researchers. To be included, each study must have been peer-reviewed, sample was 18+, and published in the last 20 years. Exclusion criteria applied were articles on case studies, abstracts only, and studies that involved subjects with chronic disease, and mental health conditions. Relevant data were extracted and agreed upon by each of the researchers.

RESULTS:  The search initially yielded 9,092 publications, and 26 articles met the inclusion criteria (Figure 1). Sample sizes of included studies ranged from 8 to 3,551 participants with a total sample of 14,967 (7,600 students, 5,439 general population, 1,597 competitive athletes, and 351 older adults 60+ years). Two survey instruments were identified in the studies, grit scale variations and resilience scale variations. Overall, 24 studies reported a significant and positive relationship between grit and a measure of PA participation.  The two studies that did not report a significant relationship between grit and PA did report a positive relationship between grit, sleep, healthy diet, age, and gender.

CONCLUSIONS: The existing literature strongly supports the positive association between grit and engagement in PA. Considering the challenges to be physically active and pursue higher levels of fitness these findings are not unsurprising, as gritty individuals are more likely to be directed towards long-term perseverance. Since most of the existing literature studies were cross-sectional the direction of the relationship could be determined. Thus, future research should use methodology appropriate for establishing cause and effect. 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Coaches and practitioners should consider incorporating a grit assessment as part of their initial screening process when working with clients to identify a potential risk factor for poor adherence to future programmed exercise prescription.

Acknowledgements: none