Multiple Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Motor Ability and Children’s Characteristics of Personality

Abstract

　This study aimed to comprehensively examine the relationship between physical fitness / motor ability and young children’s characteristics of the Big Five personality factors (curiosity, nervousness, honesty, cooperativeness, and diplomacy). We administered physical fitness tests comprising seven types of exercises to 216 young children (109 boys and 107 girls) to understand their physical fitness characteristics. Additionally, in order to objectively investigate children’s personalities with regard to the Big Five personality characteristics, a questionnaire survey was administered to the children’s schoolteachers. The questionnaire was created with reference to Goldberg’s previous research. Results of the multiple regression analysis revealed a moderate multiple correlation coefficient between the Big Five factors and comprehensive physical fitness scores. Additionally, a significant partial regression coefficient was observed between comprehensive physical fitness scores and the characteristic of “cooperativeness.” Continued from that, in terms of “diplomacy,” “curiosity,” “honesty,” and “nervousness,” the influence on overall physical fitness scores was the strongest. A moderate degree of multiple correlation coefficient was also found between the Big Five personality traits and exercise performance scores. A significant partial regression coefficient between motor skill scores and “cooperativeness” and “curiosity” was also found. Scores of “diplomacy,” “nervousness,” and “honesty” (in that order) had a strong influence on exercise performance scores. Based on these results, during activities such as athletics, physical fitness, exercise ability, and personality traits are thought to be cultivated.