Big Five personality traits showed little link to changing exercise beliefs
Medical Xpress
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Physical activity plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, yet recent studies have shown a concerning decline in exercise rates among college students, particularly female students. Despite this trend, little research has been conducted to explore the underlying factors influencing changes in exercise beliefs over time. A recent study examined the potential connection between the Big Five personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—and shifts in attitudes toward physical activity among college students.
The research aimed to determine whether these fundamental personality traits could predict changes in exercise motivation or behavior. However, the findings revealed minimal correlation between the Big Five traits and alterations in exercise beliefs. This suggests that personality may not play a significant role in shaping exercise habits over time, particularly among college students. The study highlights the need for a broader understanding of factors influencing physical activity rates, as traditional approaches focusing on individual traits may not be sufficient.
Understanding why this matters is critical for public health, especially given the rising concerns about declining physical activity levels among young adults. If personality traits are not the primary drivers of
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/19/2026