Effect of grit on performance in Crossfit in advanced and novice athletes

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 28 - 35, 31.03.2019

Michael Cazayoux Mark Debeliso

https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.517615

Cited By: 7

Abstract

Sport
performance is affected by physical as well psychological traits. The
psychological trait grit has been shown to effect athletic performance.  This study attempted to identify the level of
grit in novice and advanced Crossfit athletes in order to determine if levels
of grit play a role related to performance in the sport of fitness known as
Crossfit.  Male and female Crossfit
athletes (n=50) completed the 12-Point Grit Scale test. The 12-Point Grit Scale
is a 12-question instrument with two subscales (Perseverance of Effort, PE;
Consistency of Interest, CI).  The
subscale scores and total grit scale scores were compared between the novice
and advanced Crossfit athletes with independent t-tests (α≤0.05).  The advanced Crossfit athletes (n=23) scored
significantly greater than the novice athletes (n=27) for both the 12-Item Grit
scale as well as the CI subscale (p<0.05). There was not a statistical
difference in the PE subscale scores between the novice and advanced Crossfit athletes
(p<0.05). As hypothesized, this study found grit levels to be greater among
advanced Crossfit athletes suggesting that grit may play a role in successful
participation in the sport of fitness known as Crossfit. Athletes and coaches
could use this information in the training environment in a way that maximizes
an athlete’s level of grit in order to get a competitive edge. Athletes and
coaches could implement the findings of the current study by understanding the
importance of practice, finding purpose in why they train in the first place,
developing a sense of hope, and joining an existing gritty group of athletes.

Keywords

Crossfit, grit, sports of fitness

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