This study was prepared to examine the personality traits of extreme athletes. The samples of the research are 156 extreme athletes; 106 athletes who have participated in the Turkey championship in Afyonkarahisar, İzmir, Muğla-Fethiye organized by Turkey Motorcycle Federation, 30 diving athletes in Antalya-Kemer diving center, 20 rafting athletes in the rafting area in Antalya-Manavgat and Mugla-Dalaman River. In order to determine the personality traits of the athletes, 5-factor-theory-scale developed by Bacanli et al. [1] was used. The analysis of the data obtained in the study was tested with statistical package for the social science 23.0 statistical package program and frequency, t-test and univariate analysis of variance.

As a result, it was found that the personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes were significantly different in terms of age, marital status, smoking, exercise and having children. No significant difference was found between the personality traits of extreme athletes according to gender, education status, alcohol use, individuals doing sports in the family, and leisure activities. In women athletes, emotional imbalance, extroversion, openness to experience, gentleness, responsibility personality trait is higher than in male athletes. Emotional imbalance personality trait was found to be higher in non-exercise athletes than athletes that are doing exercise.

Introduction

Extreme sports can be defined as a relatively new form of sport or as an extraordinary individual achievement and personal unique pleasure [2]. Sometimes athletes want to experience extreme experiences by seeking different sports outside of traditional sports [3]. Brymer [4], defines extreme sports as “those activities where a mismanaged mistake or accident would most likely result in death, as opposed to injury” (p.i). Classic examples of extreme-risk nontraditional sports include free climbing, solo rope climbing, extreme mountaineering, waterfall skiing, deep water diving, extreme skiing, BASE (building, antenna, span, earth) jumping, big wave surfing, and wingsuit flying [5]. Extreme sports, such as skydiving, altitude mountain climbing, rock-climbing, white water rafting, motor-cycling, skydiving, and paragliding are among the group of sports associated with a high risk [6-8]. In recent years, with the increasing popularity of risk-oriented, adventure-based extreme sports are being conducted and the perception of risk in extreme sports has been the subject of research [9,10]. In a study on risky sports, the following results were observed, the extroversion and openness of individuals who participated in surfing, climbing, diving and other risky sports were found to be high. Conscientiousness and neuroticism (a personality trait characterized by tension and emotional imbalance) were found to be low [11]. Risk-taking behavior in extreme sports, such as skydiving, surfing and mountaineering, are often perceived differently to risk taking in other life domains (e.g., gambling, reckless driving or sexual behavior) because of their greater social acceptability [12]. Cliff jumping, bungee jumping, altitude mountain climbing, rock climbing, parachute jumping was rated as five most risky sports by female and male university students. Men find motor sports more attractive than women, however, women find land and water sports more attractive [13]. In extreme athletes, low conscientiousness, high neuroticism and high risk-taking behaviors have been defined as personality traits [12]. Extreme athletes are motivated by high levels of arousal, adrenaline, aggression, excitement, struggle, uniqueness, psychological state, physical/spiritual comfort and achievement [14]. Risk taking is seen as the most important motivating factor in participation in extreme sports rather than dominant sports branches [15]. Risk taking, stress relieving, aggression, and commitment, social relaxation, self-esteem, competition, achievement, mastery, aesthetics, value development, self-realization, physical fitness, fashion compliance and entertainment/pleasure factors were identified as extreme sports participation motivators [16]. 15 different motives were determined for Turkish extreme athletes’ motivation to participate in sports. These are belonging, friendship, desire to take risks, excitement seeking, pleasure/pleasure, addiction, entertainment, lifestyle, freedom, self-confidence, achievement, seeking difference, physical fitness, escape, stress relief [17]. Extreme sports provide emotions of excitement and risk taking to the extreme. Sports that are commonly performed by other people are not preferred by extreme athletes. There is a danger of death in extreme sports. Some people prefer the least dangerous, low-risk sports, while some people prefer excitement, risk, danger-drinking sports. Some differences in personality characteristics of individuals doing extreme sports are remarkable. Personality traits of individuals doing extreme sports were examined. The results explain the high participation in extreme sports.

Materials and Methods

The samples of the research are 156 extreme athletes, 106 athletes who have participated in the Turkey championship in Afyonkarahisar, İzmir, Mugla-Fethiye organized by Turkey Motorcycle Federation, 30 diving athletes in Antalya-Kemer diving center, 20 rafting athletes in the rafting area in Antalya-Manavgat and Mugla-Dalaman River. In order to determine the personality traits of the athletes, 5-factor-theory-scale developed by Bacanli et al. [1] was used.

Adjective Based Personality Test (ABPT)

Personality test based on adjectives was developed by Bacanli et al. [1] based on five factor theory. Adjective Based Personality Test (ABPT) consists of 40 items and is based on opposite pairs of adjectives. Scale items are bipolar. In the questionnaire, the response is done in a Likert style between 1-7. Bipolar items are evaluated according to the scores obtained on a 7- point dimension.

As a result of factor analysis, a five-factor structure was obtained: extroversion (Eg: Person who prefers loneliness-person who prefers social/community), compliant (Eg. spiteful-forgiving), responsibility (Eg. tidy-untidy), these are belonging emotional unbalance (calm-nervous) and willingness to experience (Eg. interested in art – uninterested in art). These five factors explain 52.63% of total variance of scale. Extroversion subscale consists of nine items, calm subscale nine, responsibility subscale seven, emotional imbalance subscale seven and willingness to experience subscale consists of eight items. In the reliability study of ABPT, the reliability coefficients obtained for each subscale by means of repetition test were 85 for extroversion, 86 for calmness, 71 for responsibility, 85 for emotional unbalance and 68 for willingness to experience. Cronbach Alpha coefficients are 89 for extroversion, 87 for calmness, 88 for responsibility, 73 for Emotional unbalance, and 80 for willingness to Experience. The Cronbach Alpha coefficients obtained in this study are 89 for extroversion, .78 for calmness, 80 for responsibility, 74 for emotional imbalance and 77 for willingness to experience.

Statistical analysis of data

Descriptive statistical methods (f), (%), (X) mean and (Std. Deviation) standard deviation analyzes were used in the analysis of the data collected from the researchers. Furthermore, the differences between the athletes according to the independent variables were tested by independent samples t-test for paired groups and One-Way ANOVA in case of more than two groups. Significance level was taken as p = 0.05 (Table 1).

Results

As seen in table 2, a significant difference was found between the personality traits and sub-dimensions of the extreme athletes and the age variable (p < 0.05). In the dimension of emotional imbalance, the average value of 18-24 years old athletes (X̄: 62,67), the average value of 25-30 years’ athletes (X̄: 58,14), the average value of athletes over 30 years (X̄: 54,68). We can say that there is a decrease in the dimension of emotional imbalance of personality as age gets older. In the responsibility sub-dimension, the average value of the athletes aged 18-24 (X̄: 13,12), the average value of athletes 25-30 years (X̄: 11,42), the average value of athletes 30 years and over (X̄: 15,65). The responsibility sub-dimension of personality gives the highest average in individuals over 30 years of age. According to these average values, it shows that the sense of responsibility increases with age.

As seen in table 3, no significant difference was found between personality and sub-dimensions of the extreme athletes and gender (p > 0.05). The average value of the emotional imbalance feature of women X̄:59,46, the average value of men X̄:57,43, the extroversion feature of the average of women X̄:19,84, the average of men X̄:17,54, openness to average experience in women X̄:22.86, the average of the male characteristics X̄:20,52, The average of women X̄:22,81, the average of men X̄:21,64, the responsibility feature of women’s average X̄:14,06, the average of men X̄:12,91 was determined. When the average values were examined, it was found that the average values of female athletes were higher than the male in the dimensions of personality, emotional imbalance, extroversion, willingness to experience, calmness and responsibility.

As seen in table 4, a significant difference was found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and marital status variable (p <0.05). Emotional imbalance property of the unmarried average value X̄:60,09, the average value of married people X̄: 53,76, extroversion property of the unmarried average value X̄:17,43, the average value of married people X̄:20,22, willingness to experience the average value of unmarried X̄:21,23, married The average value of those who are X̄:20,61, the average value of calmness of the unmarried X̄:21,21, the average value of those who are married X̄:24,13, the average value of unmarried X̄:12,84, the average value of those who are married X̄:15,23. It is noteworthy that the emotional imbalance of unmarried athletes is high. Married athletes have higher level of responsibility and calmness than unmarried athletes. Emotional imbalance is high in unmarried people, calmness and responsibility characteristics are high in married athletes because of the living conditions brought by marriage.

As seen in table 5, a significant difference was found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and having a child (p <0.05). The average value of the children without emotional instability X̄:59,33, the average value of those with children X̄: 55,86, the extroversion property of the non-children, the average value of X̄:17,99, the average value of those with children X̄:18,61, the average value of willingness to experience children X̄: 20,82, the average value of children The average value of those with X̄:21,71, the calmness value of non-children with the average value of X̄: 21,40, the average value of those with children X̄:23,07, the non-responsibility of the children with the average value of X̄: 12,57, the average value of children with X̄: 15,34, was determined.

As seen in table 6, there was a significant difference between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and smoking, alcohol and drug use variables (p <0.05). Emotional imbalance property of cigarette, alcohol, drug-free athletes average value X̄:59,20, average value of athletes using X̄:55,18, extroversion feature of cigarette, alcohol, drug-athletes average value X̄:18,43, average value of athletes using X̄:17.65, open to experience property of cigarettes, alcohol, drug-free athletes average value X̄:20.89, the average value of athletes using X̄:21,94, calmness property of cigarettes, alcohol, drug-free athletes average value X:21,70, the average value of athletes using the drug X̄:22,38, responsibility feature smoking, The average value of athletes who do not use alcohol, drug X̄:12,77, the average value of athletes using X̄:14,41. It is noteworthy that the personality trait of the willingness to experience is higher in athletes who smoke.

Discussion

In the study, the personality traits of extreme athletes were examined; a significant difference was found between the personality traits and sub-dimensions of the extreme athletes and age variable (p <0.05). The responsibility sub-dimension of personality gives the highest average in individuals over 30 years of age. According to these values, it can be said that the sense of responsibility increases with age (Table 2). In Demir’s study [18] with 388 people using 5 factor personality tests, a significant difference was found in the sub-dimensions of self-control/responsibility and openness to development in the age variable. No significant difference was found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and gender (p >0.05). No significant was found, but it was found that the average values of female athletes were higher than those of men in the dimensions of personality, emotional imbalance, extroversion, openness to experience, softness, and responsibility (Table 3). In the study, which examined the perceptions of risk and attractiveness of extremity sports among university students, risk perception differed according to gender and whether or not to participate in these sports before [13]. Risk-taking behavior and need for excitement seeking in extreme athletes were examined, and a significant relationship was found between risk-taking behavior and need for excitement in extreme athletes and gender variable. Male athletes, excitement seeking, and risk-taking behavior has a higher average than female athletes. In extreme athletes, a significant relationship was found between risk taking behavior and need for seek excitement. It’s noteworthy that when the risk-taking behavior values increase, the need for excitement seeking increases as well [19]. The personality traits of university students related to some variables were examined and it was found that the mean scores of extroversions, openness to experience, softness and responsibility scores did not differ significantly in terms of gender variable in terms of personality traits [20]. This research finding supports our study. A significant difference was found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and marital status variable (p <0.05). Emotional imbalance with personality traits was found higher in unmarried athletes. Married athletes have higher level of responsibility and calmness than unmarried athletes. Emotional imbalance is high in unmarried people, calmness and responsibility characteristics are high in married athletes. It can be said that the reason is the responsibilities of marriage (Table 4). Demir’s [18] personality traits of university employees were examined, and it was found that unmarried employees had a higher value for self-improvement than married ones. Significant differences were found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and having a child variable (p <0.05). Emotional imbalance was found to be high in athletes who have no children, but extroversion, willingness to experience, calmness, and responsibility were found higher in athletes who have children (Table 5). Personality and risk-taking behaviors of rafting and scuba diving athletes were examined and a significant relationship was found between risk taking behavior and adventure seeking. Personality characteristics that affect risk-taking behavior are shown as extroversion, being outspoken and conscientiousness [21]. Significant differences were found between personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes and smoking, alcohol and drug use variables (p <0.05). Emotional imbalance, willingness to experience and responsibility were found to be high in athletes who smoke, drink alcohol or drug. On the other hand, extroversion personality was found high in athletes who do not smoke, drink alcohol or use drug. It is noteworthy that athletes who use cigarettes, alcohol, or drug have higher willingness to experience personality traits (Table 6). Personality, self-efficacy and risk-taking behaviors of extreme sports and high-risk parkour/free-running athletes were examined and found a relationship between risk-taking behavior and neuroticism and conscience. In free-running athletes, a significant relationship was found between self-efficacy, neuroticism, conscience and risk-taking [22]. It was found that cigarette addicts had lower characteristics such as seeking novelty, persistence, self-management, cooperation and self-transcendence compared to non-smokers [23,24]. In a study related to steroid use in athletes, steroids, commonly referred to as Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS), are a family of hormones that comprises testosterone. This class of doping substances cause an extensive increase in the muscular massandis being used to improve athletic performance. Athletes are still using them to increase physical performance and bodybuilders are using them to improve size and cosmetic appearance. For performance enhancing use, these substances generally used without interruption and during several weeks preceding a competition. In particular, early death from cardiovascular disease, sterility in men and, in women, masculinization and possible irreversible effect constitute the most serious dangers. More recently, studies have suggested that psychological and behavioral changes and addiction may result from chronic anabolic steroid abuse. AAS were the first identified doping agents that have ergogenic effects and are on the International Olympic Committee’s list of banned substances. This paper identify; a) AAS increasing represent only one of many different classes of agents it is important to use by recreational bodybuilders and by athletes in the 21st century, b) their side effects c) their effects on sports performance c) phenomenon of polypharmacy [25].

Conclusion

As a result, it was found that personality and sub-dimensions of extreme athletes differ significantly according to age, marital status, smoking, exercising and having children. There was no significant difference in terms of personality characteristics of extreme athletes according to gender, educational background, alcohol use, family members and leisure activities. It was determined that the personality trait increased according to the age variable. Emotional imbalance, extroversion, openness to experience, calmness, and responsibility personality traits were higher in female athletes than male. Unmarried athletes, emotional imbalance personality trait is high and in married athletes, responsibility and calm personality traits are high. Emotional imbalance personality traits were found to increase as the education level increased. Emotional instability of athletes who do not have children, extroversion, willingness to experience, calmness and responsibility of the athletes who have children were found to be high. The openness to experience was found to be higher in smoking athletes. It was determined that alcohol use athletes had high willingness to experience and emotional imbalance. Emotional imbalance personality traits were found to be higher in non-exercising athletes.

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