The Relationship between Personality Traits and Effectiveness of Ethiopian Athletes in Long Distance Running

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits and athletes performance in long distance runners in Ethiopia. Cross-sectional research design was employed. The data was collected using questionnaires and through field study procedure. The targeted populations of the study were 138 of successful and unsuccessful athletes in long distance runners 2019/2020. Of the Non-probability sampling type purposive sampling techniques was employed. The sample size of the study was 34 successful and 39 unsuccessful athletes (a total of 73). Personality was associated by using five factorial models (Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness, Extraversion and Neuroticism) provide a framework for describing personality traits and athletes performance. To analyze the data of successful and unsuccessful athletes of long distance runners mean frequency, percentile and p-value were used. The result showed that Agreeableness’ (70.58%) and Conscientiousness (63.23%) were significantly strong positive relationship associated with their successful athletic performance of long distance runners in Ethiopia than unsuccessful athletes. Openness (49.29%) and Extraversion (55.87%) were significantly week positive relationship associated with their successful athletic performance of long distance runners in Ethiopia than unsuccessful athletes. Neuroticism (5.14%) was not significantly positively correlated with sport performance for successful athlete.