PERSONALITY PROFILE AND TENDINOPATHIES IN SOCCER PLAYERS

In recent years a new line of research studies has confirmed the relationship between the main personality traits and the injury risk, especially among soccer players (Johnson and Ivarsson, 2013). In addition, findings from other studies, including soccer players as participant, suggest that intrinsic factors such as competitive stress and daily hassles, older age and previous accidents are associated with the increase of injury risk (Hägglund M, et al, 2013). However, hamstring injuries, Achilles and patellar tendinopathy remain significant issues in soccer. The aim of this study was to trace an early personological profile of the male soccer players who are proner to injuries. METHOD: The participants of the study were 98 soccer male players (aged 18 to 45 years), 35 defenders, 39 midfielders, 24 strikers. Each player filled in a qualitative questionnaire about his personal characteristics and sport practice (trainings, matches, etc.) and any previous injury. The participants also completed the Big Five Questionnaire (Caprara et al, 1993), that studies the big personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, open-mindedness, neuroticism/emotional stability). RESULTS: The data were tested for correlations between personality traits and number of injuries (divided in specific types). Tendinopathies were negative correlated with agreeableness (rho = - 0,223, p <0.05), emotional stability (rho = - 0,280, p <0,05) and open-mindedness (rho = - 0,200, p <0,05); ); microfractures were also negatively related with agreeableness (rho = - 0,255, p <0,05) and emotional stability (rho = - 0,376, p <0,01). Meniscal injuries were positively correlated with conscientiousness (rho = 0,209, p <0,05) Personality differences between subjects who reported injuries and those that did not were also explored. Players with past meniscal injuries were found to be also more conscientious (Mann-Whitney’s Test, p <0,05); players with past tendinopathies had lower values of agreeableness (T test, p <0.05), emotional stability and open-mindedness (T test, p <0.05); finally players with past microfractures (tiny breaks) had lower values of agreeableness and emotional stability (Mann-Whitney’s Test, p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Although high total amount of exposure was identified as a risk factor for injuries also some personological characteristics seem to play a specific role in tendon injuries. Soccer players with past injuries tend to show a more neurotic profile (less emotionally stable), but also other personality traits tied to specific types of accidents which warrant further investigation. REFERENCES Caprara, G.V., Barbaranelli, C., Borgogni, L., Perugini, M. The “big five questionnaire”: A new questionnaire to assess the five factor model Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 15, Issue 3, September 1993, Pages 281-288 Ivarsson A, Johnson U, Podlog L. (2013). Psychological predictors of injury oc