Abstract

B. FILHO, Maurício; RIBEIRO, Luiz S.  and  GARCIA, Félix G.. Personality of Brazilian high-level athletes: comparison between men and women and correlation with performance level and training years. Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2005, vol.5, n.1, pp.31-39. ISSN 1645-0523.

This study aimed at (i) evaluating the personality characteristics of Brazilian high-level athletes, verifying similarities and differences among individuals from both gender and (ii) correlating psychological variables with performance level and training years. We sampled two hundred and nine athletes (108 men and 101 women) from four sports (volleyball, basketball, judo and swimming). The FPI-R (Freiburg Personality Inventory) was used to evaluate personality characteristics of the subjects. Statistical significant differences (p<0,05) were found between Brazilian high-level male and female athletes in six out of twelve study variables: Life Satisfaction, Aggressiveness, Inhibition, Irritability, Physical Complaints and Emotionality. However, this tendency was not found when the sample was divided by the respective sports. The correlation found among the psychological variables and athletes training years (-0,234 < r < 0,034) and performance level (-0,202< r < 0,043) was not statistically significant (p>0,05). In conclusion: Men and women Brazilian high-level athletes, in general, presented differences in the personality characteristics. However, when divided and analyzed by their sports, it was not observed a significant difference between athletes from both sexes. Training years and performance level presented weak correlation when with the personality factors, but we suggest that more studies must be done to improve this topic.

Keywords : personality; Brazilian athletes; gender; performance; training years; FPI.

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