Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1990, 70, 1040-1042.
O Perceptual and Motor Skills 1990
T H E TYPE A BEHAVIOR PATTERN AND ADHERENCE TO A REGULAR RUNNING PROGRAM BY ADULT MALES AGES 25 to 39 YEARS ' DAVID PARGMAN AND LEONARD GREEN Department of Physical Education, Florida State Uniuersi~ Summary.-This smdy examined the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and adherence to a regular running program. Type A runners among 149 men of 25 to 39 yr. age reported significantly higher self-motivation than the Type B runners. Research should continue to examine motivational patterns associated with long-term adherence to physical exercise.
Much attention has been given to psychological factors related to adherence to exercise since reported rates of adherence are alarmingly low (Dishman, 1982; Franklin, 1978; Oldridge, 1982). One such motivational factor is the Type A behavior pattern which has been defined as an overt behavioral syndrome or style of living characterized by extremes of competitiveness, feelings of being under the pressures of time, striving for achievement, and aggressiveness. In contrast, the Type B behavior pattern is characterized by a relaxed, unhurried, mellow, and satisfied style (Jenkins, Zyzanski, & Rosenman, 1976). It has been suggested that the Type A person's competitive, hard-driving approach is related to specific exercise-adherence patterns which may ultimately negate some of the beneficial mental and physical outcomes of exercise obtained through a more relaxed and playful approach. For example, Buffone (1984) commented that Type A persons are likely to become obsessed with exercise, turning it into yet another source of competition and stress. Breeden (1984) and Rejeski (1982) recommended that the Type A person's tendency toward extreme competitiveness can be overcome by a more playful and relaxed approach toward participation. In addition, since Type A persons are not likely to be motivated by the joyful and playful aspects of exercise, they may exhibit low intrinsic motivation which appears to be positively related to adherence to exercise (Franklin, 1978). Oldridge, Wicks, Hanley, Sutton, and Jones (1978) reported that Type A subjects were significantly more likely than Type B subjects to be early dropouts (1 month) from a rehabilitative exercise program. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and adherence to a regular program of running. 'Appreciation is expressed to Kathy Gi for assistance in preparation of the manuscript. Address correspondence to Dr. David Pargman, Department of Physical Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
1041
ADHERENCE TO RUNNING
More specifically, are Type A persons more likely to display a competitive and goal-oriented style of running emphasizing mileage and speed than Type B persons who are more likely to display a more playful or intrinsically motivated approach to running. METHOD Subjects were 149 male runners between the ages of 25 and 39 yr. (M = 33.6 yr.) who were members of an organized running club in Georgia. Subjects were questioned about average number of miles run per week, average intensity of regular running, amount of concern with time or distance during normal running, and number of months they had been running. The Type A behavior pattern was measured using the Jenkins Activity Survey (Jenkins, Zyzanski, & Rosenman, 1979). Self-motivation was measured using the Self-motivation Inventory (Dishman, Ickes, & Morgan, 1980), while intrinsic motivation was measured using the Task Reaction Questionnaire (Mayo, 1977). RESULTS Differences on each adherence variable were examined between the Type A and Type B runners. A significant difference was noted only on the TABLE 1 MEANS,STANDARD DEVIATIONS, t RATIOSBETWEEN TYPEA AND TYPEB RUNNERS Variable
Type A, n
M
=
102
SD
Type
M
B, n = 47 SD
t
P
SeU-motivation 146.9 20.6 -6.91 .OO 168.0 15.7 -.I2 .90 123.1 17.2 Intrinsic motivation 123.4 16.1 -1.03 .31 95.4 61.1 Months of running 107.0 65.2 -.49 .63 26.3 14.3 Average miles per week 27.5 13.4 Average minutes per mile 7.3 .4 .5 1.13 .26 7.4 5.5 5.5 2.4 .04 .96 2.2 Concern with time or distance Note.-Possible ranges (low to high): self-motivation 40 to 200,intrinsic motivation 23 to 161, concern with time or distance 1 to 10.
self-motivation variable; see Table 1. The Type A runners reported significantly higher self-motivation scores than the Type B runners. Scores on intrinsic motivation, average miles run per week, average minutes run per mile, concern with time or &stance during normal running did not, however, differentiate the Type A runners from the Type B runners. Present results only partially supported the prediction that the Type A behavior pattern would be related to a more competitive and goal-oriented approach to running. Even though the Type A runners generally reported a strong ability to commit to the pursuit of a goal (self-motivation), they did not display other characteristics of a hard-driving approach to exercise adher-
1042
D. PARGMAN & L. GREEN
ence. As a result, many questions remain about what type of motivational patterns are related to long-term adherence to exercise. REFERENCES BREEDEN,B. (1984) Type A behavior and the runner: stop sabotaging your fitness. Runner's World, 19(7), 146. BUFFONE,G . W. (1984) Running and depression. In M . L. Sachs & G . W. Buffone (Eds.), Running as therapy: an integrated approach. Lincoln, NE: Univer. of Nebraska Press. Pp. 6-22.
DISHMAN, R. K. (1982) Health psychology and exercise adherence. Quest, 33, 166-180. DISHMAN,R. K., ICKES,W., & MORGAN, W. P. (1980) Self-motivation and adherence to habitual physical activity. lournal of Applied Social Psychology, 10, 115-123. Motivating and educating adults to exercise. 1ournal of Physical Edt~cationand Recreation, 49, 13-16. JENKINS,C. D . , ZYZANSKI, S. J., & ROSENMAN, R. H. (1979) Jenkins Activity Survey, Form C, manual. New York: Psychological Corp. MAYO, R. J. (1977) The development and construct validation of a measure of intrinsic motivation. Dissertation Abstracts International, 3 7, 54 18B. OLDRIDGE, N. B. (1982) Compliance and exercise in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: a review. Prevmtive Medicine, 11, 56-70. OLDRIDGE, N . B., WICKS,J. R., HALEY, C . , SUTTON,J. R., &JONES,N. L. (1978) Noncompliance in an exercise rehabihtation program for men who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 118, 36 1-364. REJESKI,W. J. (1982) Rehabilitation and prevention of coronary heart disease: an overview of the Type A behavior pattern. Quest, 33, 154-165.
FRANKLIN, B. A. (1978)
Accepted May 7, 1990.
O Perceptual and Motor Skills 1990
T H E TYPE A BEHAVIOR PATTERN AND ADHERENCE TO A REGULAR RUNNING PROGRAM BY ADULT MALES AGES 25 to 39 YEARS ' DAVID PARGMAN AND LEONARD GREEN Department of Physical Education, Florida State Uniuersi~ Summary.-This smdy examined the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and adherence to a regular running program. Type A runners among 149 men of 25 to 39 yr. age reported significantly higher self-motivation than the Type B runners. Research should continue to examine motivational patterns associated with long-term adherence to physical exercise.
Much attention has been given to psychological factors related to adherence to exercise since reported rates of adherence are alarmingly low (Dishman, 1982; Franklin, 1978; Oldridge, 1982). One such motivational factor is the Type A behavior pattern which has been defined as an overt behavioral syndrome or style of living characterized by extremes of competitiveness, feelings of being under the pressures of time, striving for achievement, and aggressiveness. In contrast, the Type B behavior pattern is characterized by a relaxed, unhurried, mellow, and satisfied style (Jenkins, Zyzanski, & Rosenman, 1976). It has been suggested that the Type A person's competitive, hard-driving approach is related to specific exercise-adherence patterns which may ultimately negate some of the beneficial mental and physical outcomes of exercise obtained through a more relaxed and playful approach. For example, Buffone (1984) commented that Type A persons are likely to become obsessed with exercise, turning it into yet another source of competition and stress. Breeden (1984) and Rejeski (1982) recommended that the Type A person's tendency toward extreme competitiveness can be overcome by a more playful and relaxed approach toward participation. In addition, since Type A persons are not likely to be motivated by the joyful and playful aspects of exercise, they may exhibit low intrinsic motivation which appears to be positively related to adherence to exercise (Franklin, 1978). Oldridge, Wicks, Hanley, Sutton, and Jones (1978) reported that Type A subjects were significantly more likely than Type B subjects to be early dropouts (1 month) from a rehabilitative exercise program. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and adherence to a regular program of running. 'Appreciation is expressed to Kathy Gi for assistance in preparation of the manuscript. Address correspondence to Dr. David Pargman, Department of Physical Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
1041
ADHERENCE TO RUNNING
More specifically, are Type A persons more likely to display a competitive and goal-oriented style of running emphasizing mileage and speed than Type B persons who are more likely to display a more playful or intrinsically motivated approach to running. METHOD Subjects were 149 male runners between the ages of 25 and 39 yr. (M = 33.6 yr.) who were members of an organized running club in Georgia. Subjects were questioned about average number of miles run per week, average intensity of regular running, amount of concern with time or distance during normal running, and number of months they had been running. The Type A behavior pattern was measured using the Jenkins Activity Survey (Jenkins, Zyzanski, & Rosenman, 1979). Self-motivation was measured using the Self-motivation Inventory (Dishman, Ickes, & Morgan, 1980), while intrinsic motivation was measured using the Task Reaction Questionnaire (Mayo, 1977). RESULTS Differences on each adherence variable were examined between the Type A and Type B runners. A significant difference was noted only on the TABLE 1 MEANS,STANDARD DEVIATIONS, t RATIOSBETWEEN TYPEA AND TYPEB RUNNERS Variable
Type A, n
M
=
102
SD
Type
M
B, n = 47 SD
t
P
SeU-motivation 146.9 20.6 -6.91 .OO 168.0 15.7 -.I2 .90 123.1 17.2 Intrinsic motivation 123.4 16.1 -1.03 .31 95.4 61.1 Months of running 107.0 65.2 -.49 .63 26.3 14.3 Average miles per week 27.5 13.4 Average minutes per mile 7.3 .4 .5 1.13 .26 7.4 5.5 5.5 2.4 .04 .96 2.2 Concern with time or distance Note.-Possible ranges (low to high): self-motivation 40 to 200,intrinsic motivation 23 to 161, concern with time or distance 1 to 10.
self-motivation variable; see Table 1. The Type A runners reported significantly higher self-motivation scores than the Type B runners. Scores on intrinsic motivation, average miles run per week, average minutes run per mile, concern with time or &stance during normal running did not, however, differentiate the Type A runners from the Type B runners. Present results only partially supported the prediction that the Type A behavior pattern would be related to a more competitive and goal-oriented approach to running. Even though the Type A runners generally reported a strong ability to commit to the pursuit of a goal (self-motivation), they did not display other characteristics of a hard-driving approach to exercise adher-
1042
D. PARGMAN & L. GREEN
ence. As a result, many questions remain about what type of motivational patterns are related to long-term adherence to exercise. REFERENCES BREEDEN,B. (1984) Type A behavior and the runner: stop sabotaging your fitness. Runner's World, 19(7), 146. BUFFONE,G . W. (1984) Running and depression. In M . L. Sachs & G . W. Buffone (Eds.), Running as therapy: an integrated approach. Lincoln, NE: Univer. of Nebraska Press. Pp. 6-22.
DISHMAN, R. K. (1982) Health psychology and exercise adherence. Quest, 33, 166-180. DISHMAN,R. K., ICKES,W., & MORGAN, W. P. (1980) Self-motivation and adherence to habitual physical activity. lournal of Applied Social Psychology, 10, 115-123. Motivating and educating adults to exercise. 1ournal of Physical Edt~cationand Recreation, 49, 13-16. JENKINS,C. D . , ZYZANSKI, S. J., & ROSENMAN, R. H. (1979) Jenkins Activity Survey, Form C, manual. New York: Psychological Corp. MAYO, R. J. (1977) The development and construct validation of a measure of intrinsic motivation. Dissertation Abstracts International, 3 7, 54 18B. OLDRIDGE, N. B. (1982) Compliance and exercise in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: a review. Prevmtive Medicine, 11, 56-70. OLDRIDGE, N . B., WICKS,J. R., HALEY, C . , SUTTON,J. R., &JONES,N. L. (1978) Noncompliance in an exercise rehabihtation program for men who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 118, 36 1-364. REJESKI,W. J. (1982) Rehabilitation and prevention of coronary heart disease: an overview of the Type A behavior pattern. Quest, 33, 154-165.
FRANKLIN, B. A. (1978)
Accepted May 7, 1990.
