Motivations and psychological characteristics of Japanese ultra-marathon runners using Myers-Briggs type indicator

Michiyo HASHIMOTO; Nobuhiko HAGURA; Takao KURIYAMA; Midori NISHIYAMAI

doi:10.3861/jshhe.72.15

Michiyo HASHIMOTO, Nobuhiko HAGURA, Takao KURIYAMA, Midori NISHIYAMAI

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Keywords: motivation, psychological characteristics, sport psychology, ultra-marathon, Japanese MBTI

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2006 Volume 72 Issue 1 Pages 15-24

DOI https://doi.org/10.3861/jshhe.72.15

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Published: January 31, 2006 Received: March 01, 2005 Available on J-STAGE: June 28, 2010 Accepted: November 19, 2005 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: June 28, 2010 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Akita Inland Resort Cup 100km Challenge Marathon Race Homepage: http://www.kumagera.ne. jp/al00km/index.htm
Arai Y and Hisamichi S (1998): Self reported exercise frequency and personality: A population based study in Japan, Percept Mot Skills, 87, 1371-1375
Backmand H, Kaprio J, Kujala U et al. (2001): Personality and mood of former elite male athletes-A descriptive study, Int J Sports Med, 22, 215-221
Fallon KE and Bishop G (2002): Changes in erythropoiesis assessed by reticulocyte parameters during ultralong distance running, Clin J Sport Med, 12, 172-178
Fallon KE, Sivyer G, Sivyer K et al. (1999): The biochemistry of runners in a 1600 km ultra marathon, Br J Sports Med, 33, 264-269
Fournier PE, Stalder J, Mermillod B et al. (1997): Effects of 110 kilometers ultra-marathon race on plasma hormone levels, Int J Sport Med, 18, 252-256
Gabram SGA, Hodges J, Allen PT et al. (1994): Personality types of flight crew members in a hospital-based helicopter program, Air Med J, 1,13-17
Hagura N, Kuriyama T, Nishiyama M et al. (2002): Changes in endocrine secretion after an ultra marathon (super long distance running), Dokkyo J Med Sci, 29, 1-9
Hartung GH and Farge EJ (1977): Personality and physiological traits in middle-aged runners and joggers, J Gerontol, 32, 541-548
Hassmen P and Blomstrand E (1991): Mood change and marathon running: A pilot study using a Swedish version of the POMS test, Scand J Psychol, 32, 225-232
Jamn VK and Lall R (1996): Nurses' personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Psychol Rep, 78, 938
Johnsgard K (1985a): The motivation of the long distance runner: I, J Sports Med, 25,135-139
Johnsgard K (1985b): The motivation of the long distance runner: IT, J Sports Med, 25,140-143
Jones AC, Courts FJ, Sandow PL et al. (1997): Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and dental school performance, J Dent Educ, 61, 928-933
Leonard SW and Leklem JE (2000): Plasma B-6 vitamer changes following a 50-km ultra-mara thon, Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab,10, 302-314
Lock RD (1992): Your preferences in the world of work, Taking charge of your career direction, 123-160, Brooks / Cole Publishing Company (California)
Maresh CM, Scheckley BG, Allen GJ et al. (1991): Middle age male distance runners: physiological and psychological profiles, J Sports Med Phys Fit, 31, 461-469
Masters KS, Ogles BM, Jolton JA (1993): The development of an instrument to measure motivation for marathon running: The motivations of marathoners scales (MOMS), Res Q Exerc Sport, 64,134-143
Millet GY, Lepers R, Maffiuletti A et al. (2002): Alternations of neuromuscular function after an ultramarathon, J Appl Physiol, 92, 486-492
Milroy A and Kamm U: http://www.ultramarathonworld.com
Morgan WP, O'Connor PJ, Sparling PB et al. (1987): Psychological characterization of the elite female distance runner, Int J Sports Med, 8 (Suppl),124-131
Morgan WP and Costill DL (1972): Psychological characteristics of the marathon runner. J Sports Med, 12,42-46
Myers IB (1987): Introduction to type, Consulting Psychologists Press (California)
Myers IB (Translated by Sonoda Y, 2000): Introduction to Type, Fifth Edition, Kaneko Syobou (Tokyo)
O'Connor SJ, Shewchuk RM, Raab DJ (1992): Patterns of psychological type among health care executives, Hosp Health Sci Adm. 37, 431-447
Pestell RG, Hurley DM, Vandongen R (1989): Biochemical and hormonal changes during a 1000 km ultramarathon , Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol,16, 353-361
Rezler AG and Buckley JM (1977): A comparison of personality types among female student health professionals, J Med Educ, 52, 475-477
Runners Press (2001): Runners, December.
Runners Press (2002): Personal communication, phone 03-3714-1311
Sato H, Abe T, Kikuchi T et al. (1996): Changes in the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils following a 100-km marathon, Jpn J Hyg, 51, 612-616
Spartathlon Homepage: http://spartathlon.webvista.net
Sonoda Y (2000): Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (R) Manual, Kaneko Syobou (Tokyo)
Summers JJ, Machin VJ, Sargent GI (1983): Psychological factors related to marathon running, J Sport Psychol, 5, 314-331
Summers JJ, Sargent GI, Levey AJ et al. (1982): Middle-aged, non-elite marathon runners: A profile, Percept Mot Skills, 54, 963-969
Takada H, Awaya T, Ohmiya K et al. (1994): A profile of participants in ultra-marathon compe tition, J St. Marianna Univ School of Med, 22, 916-919
Warren GL, Cureton KJ, Sparling PB (1989): Does lung function limit performance in a 24-hour ultramarathon? Respir Physiol, 78, 253-263
Westerman GH, Grandy TG, Erskine CG (1991): Personality types of dentists, Am J Dent, 4, 298-302
Yamaji K (1983): The Science of Marathon, Taisyukan (Tokyo)
Yatsugatake Nobeyama Kogen 100 km Ultra-Marathon Homepage (Nagano Prefecture): http://village.infoweb.ne.jp/~wellness/nobeyama/

Right : Akita Inland Resort Cup 100km Challenge Marathon Race Homepage: http://www.kumagera.ne. jp/al00km/index.htm
Arai Y and Hisamichi S (1998): Self reported exercise frequency and personality: A population based study in Japan, Percept Mot Skills, 87, 1371-1375
Backmand H, Kaprio J, Kujala U et al. (2001): Personality and mood of former elite male athletes-A descriptive study, Int J Sports Med, 22, 215-221
Fallon KE and Bishop G (2002): Changes in erythropoiesis assessed by reticulocyte parameters during ultralong distance running, Clin J Sport Med, 12, 172-178
Fallon KE, Sivyer G, Sivyer K et al. (1999): The biochemistry of runners in a 1600 km ultra marathon, Br J Sports Med, 33, 264-269
Fournier PE, Stalder J, Mermillod B et al. (1997): Effects of 110 kilometers ultra-marathon race on plasma hormone levels, Int J Sport Med, 18, 252-256
Gabram SGA, Hodges J, Allen PT et al. (1994): Personality types of flight crew members in a hospital-based helicopter program, Air Med J, 1,13-17
Hagura N, Kuriyama T, Nishiyama M et al. (2002): Changes in endocrine secretion after an ultra marathon (super long distance running), Dokkyo J Med Sci, 29, 1-9
Hartung GH and Farge EJ (1977): Personality and physiological traits in middle-aged runners and joggers, J Gerontol, 32, 541-548
Hassmen P and Blomstrand E (1991): Mood change and marathon running: A pilot study using a Swedish version of the POMS test, Scand J Psychol, 32, 225-232
Jamn VK and Lall R (1996): Nurses' personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Psychol Rep, 78, 938
Johnsgard K (1985a): The motivation of the long distance runner: I, J Sports Med, 25,135-139
Johnsgard K (1985b): The motivation of the long distance runner: IT, J Sports Med, 25,140-143
Jones AC, Courts FJ, Sandow PL et al. (1997): Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and dental school performance, J Dent Educ, 61, 928-933
Leonard SW and Leklem JE (2000): Plasma B-6 vitamer changes following a 50-km ultra-mara thon, Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab,10, 302-314
Lock RD (1992): Your preferences in the world of work, Taking charge of your career direction, 123-160, Brooks / Cole Publishing Company (California)
Maresh CM, Scheckley BG, Allen GJ et al. (1991): Middle age male distance runners: physiological and psychological profiles, J Sports Med Phys Fit, 31, 461-469
Masters KS, Ogles BM, Jolton JA (1993): The development of an instrument to measure motivation for marathon running: The motivations of marathoners scales (MOMS), Res Q Exerc Sport, 64,134-143
Millet GY, Lepers R, Maffiuletti A et al. (2002): Alternations of neuromuscular function after an ultramarathon, J Appl Physiol, 92, 486-492
Milroy A and Kamm U: http://www.ultramarathonworld.com
Morgan WP, O'Connor PJ, Sparling PB et al. (1987): Psychological characterization of the elite female distance runner, Int J Sports Med, 8 (Suppl),124-131
Morgan WP and Costill DL (1972): Psychological characteristics of the marathon runner. J Sports Med, 12,42-46
Myers IB (1987): Introduction to type, Consulting Psychologists Press (California)
Myers IB (Translated by Sonoda Y, 2000): Introduction to Type, Fifth Edition, Kaneko Syobou (Tokyo)
O'Connor SJ, Shewchuk RM, Raab DJ (1992): Patterns of psychological type among health care executives, Hosp Health Sci Adm. 37, 431-447
Pestell RG, Hurley DM, Vandongen R (1989): Biochemical and hormonal changes during a 1000 km ultramarathon , Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol,16, 353-361
Rezler AG and Buckley JM (1977): A comparison of personality types among female student health professionals, J Med Educ, 52, 475-477
Runners Press (2001): Runners, December.
Runners Press (2002): Personal communication, phone 03-3714-1311
Sato H, Abe T, Kikuchi T et al. (1996): Changes in the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils following a 100-km marathon, Jpn J Hyg, 51, 612-616
Spartathlon Homepage: http://spartathlon.webvista.net
Sonoda Y (2000): Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (R) Manual, Kaneko Syobou (Tokyo)
Summers JJ, Machin VJ, Sargent GI (1983): Psychological factors related to marathon running, J Sport Psychol, 5, 314-331
Summers JJ, Sargent GI, Levey AJ et al. (1982): Middle-aged, non-elite marathon runners: A profile, Percept Mot Skills, 54, 963-969
Takada H, Awaya T, Ohmiya K et al. (1994): A profile of participants in ultra-marathon compe tition, J St. Marianna Univ School of Med, 22, 916-919
Warren GL, Cureton KJ, Sparling PB (1989): Does lung function limit performance in a 24-hour ultramarathon? Respir Physiol, 78, 253-263
Westerman GH, Grandy TG, Erskine CG (1991): Personality types of dentists, Am J Dent, 4, 298-302
Yamaji K (1983): The Science of Marathon, Taisyukan (Tokyo)
Yatsugatake Nobeyama Kogen 100 km Ultra-Marathon Homepage (Nagano Prefecture): http://village.infoweb.ne.jp/-wellness/nobeyama/

Abstract

To investigate the motivations and psychological profiles of ultra-marathon runners using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), 52 Japanese subjects (mean age, 45.7 years; male, 76.9%) participated in the present study. It was found that 38.5% and 23.1% of the subjects begun ultramarathons because they wanted to run a longer distance than in usual marathons, and because of the influence of others, respectively. The motivations of each subject were categorized into achievement, social, and psychological reasons. Of the 52 subjects, 73.1%, 46.2%, 32.7%, and 26.9% reported that ultra-marathon running provides a sense of achievement (psychological reason), a challenge (achievement reason), the opportunity to extend current capabilities (achievement rea son), and the opportunity to socialize with other runners and meet people (social reasons), respec tively. According to the MBTI results, INFJ and ISFJ are the two dominant personality types in ultra-marathon runners. Running experience did not differ between INFJ/ISFJ and non-IFJ sub jects, indicating that the characteristics of INFJ/ISFJ subjects are not the results of the involve ment in ultra-marathons. In conclusion, this study suggests that Japanese ultra-marathon runners tend to be more introverted, make decisions based on their feelings, and control environment in an orderly manner than the Japanese normative population.

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