Physical activity and motyvation to be physically active relations to character traits

The object of the research – the relation between physical activity, motivation to be active and character traits. The methods of the study. A group of 152 students of Lithuanian sports university were selected as participants in the research of which 101 were females and 51 males. The participants were in the age range from 18 to 45 years old. (With the average of 21,39±3,48 years). The investigated group had to fill out a Baeckle questionnaire, which can evaluate typical physical activity of a person during work hours, sports or leisure. The motivation was found using a questionnaire based on the theory – motives for physical activity measure (Frederic, Ryan , 1993). Students also were given the test of Big Five, seeking to find out their character traits. Results. It was found out, that extroversion, awareness and honesty traits are statistically stronger in women then in men. The subjects of the female gender are more motivated by looks and capability. Considering the relationship between physical activity, motivation factors and character traits we obtained that, as the motivational factors strength: pleasure, competence, looks, capability and between awareness and honesty, the physical activity increases. While where neurotizm dominates physical activity decreases. Between character traits and motivational factors were found that a strong awareness trait leads to working out for pleasure, competence and physical capability, and because of extroversion and honesty also relates to looks and social factor. However strong naurotizm leads to lower motivation to work out for pleasure, competence physical capability and social factor. Motivational factors are strongly related with the fact if the student is actively participating in some branch of sports, and also with awareness and honesty traits. The factor of looks dominates in case of female subjects, and physical capability dominates among males. Physical activity is affected by the fact if the subject actively participants in some branch of sports, low social factor and high competence motive Conclusions: 1. Among the female subjects the traits of extroversion, awareness and honesty are more defined. They are more motivated to do sports for looks and physical capability. Physical activity does not significantly differ from the rest of the group. 2. Increase in the pleasure, competence, looks and physical capability factors, as well as stronger awareness and honesty traits leads to more physical activity. Stronger extroversion, honesty and awareness traits leads to bigger motivation to work out, while stronger neurotizm lowers it. 3. Stronger motivation of pleasure, competency and physical capability relates to awareness and honesty, while motive of looks relate only to honesty trait. 4. Physical activity is best determined by low social factor and high competence motive