title: Self-control is associated with physical activity and fitness among young males.
abstract: The personality trait self-control has been associated with various adaptive outcomes. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore whether self-control is associated with self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA), Body Mass Index (BMI), muscle-fitness and aerobic fitness among young men. Participants (482 male conscripts; age M = 20) completed a questionnaire and participated in anthropometric measurements in the DefenceNutri Study, and took standard aerobic fitness and muscle fitness tests as part of their military training. Self-control was found to have a positive association with LTPA, aerobic fitness, and muscle fitness, and a negative association with BMI. Self-control predicted aerobic and muscular fitness regardless of BMI, and remained a significant and independent predictor of aerobic fitness (R² (adj.) = .28, β = .10, p < .05), but not muscle fitness, when LTPA and BMI were controlled for.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Health Behaviour and Health Promotion Unit, P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. marja.kinnunen@thl.fi
authors.forename: Marja Ilona
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Kinnunen
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suihko
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hankonen
authors.forename: Pilvikki
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Absetz
authors.forename: Piia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jallinoja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012927:Social Control, Informal