TRACING THE PERSONOLOGICAL PROFILE OF INJURY-PRONE SOCCER PLAYERS

INTRODUCTION In recent years a new line of research studies confirmed the relationship between the main personality traits and the injury risk, especially among soccer players (Johnson and Ivarsson, 2013). In addict, findings from other studies, including soccer playersas participant, suggest that psychological factors such as competitive stress, anxiety and daily hassles are associate with increase injury risk (Adie, Duda et al., 2010). The aim of this study was to trace an early personological profile of the male soccer players who are prone to injuries. METHOD: The participants of the study were 100 soccer male players (aged 18 to 45 years), 37 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 (open-mindedness, conscientiousness, energy, agreeableness, neuroticism/emotional stability). RESULTS: The data were tested for correlations between personality traits and number of injuries (divided in specific types). Meniscal injuries were positively correlated with conscientiousness (rho = 0,209, p <0,05); 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). Fractures were also negatively related with agreeableness (rho = - 0,255, p <0,05) and emotional stability (rho = - 0,376, p <0,01). 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: 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 Ivarsson A, Johnson U, Podlog L. (2013). Psychological predictors of injury occurrence: a prospective investigation of professional Swedish soccer players. J. Sport. Rehabil., 22, 19-26. Adie, J.W., Duda, J.L., Ntoumanis, N. (2010). Achievement goals, competition appraisals and the well and ill‐being of elite youth soccer players over two competitive seasons. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 32, 555‐579.