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“GRIT” DOES NOT MEDIATE PERFORMANCE DURING MAXIMAL EXERCISE TESTS

Abstract

Lane Madison1, Nicholas B. Drake1, Cole Shewmake1, Michael J. Carper1, & Derek A. Crawford1

1Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg KS

Grit has been measured and applied to students in a classroom as a predictor of student success. It has not been tested in an exercise setting to predict success during strenuous exercise. This can be used by coaches wanting to recruit athletes who can be trusted to endure intense training sessions and games. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of measuring grit as a predictor of perseverance during strenuous exercise and physical activity. METHODS: Thirty-two males and females participated in the study. Participants were places in either the high grit group (n=18) or the low grit group (n=14) based on their placement above or below the average grit score among the group. Participants came into the lab two days for testing with a minimum of forty-eight hours between testing days. On the first day participants filled out informed consent, PAR-Q, health history form, and grit questionnaire. A VO2max was then performed. The second test day consisted of a Wingate test followed by a 15 minutes recovery that led into 3 sprints until failure at 8 mph and 20% incline. The VO2max and Wingate tests were used as a control for physical fitness levels among participants. The time of each sprint was recorded as well as time taken to recover between sprints. RESULTS: There were no significant group by time interaction for repeated sprint performance (F=1.16, p = 0.334). A significant main effect for time on time to exhaustion was present (T1 = 34.54s ± 3.13s, T2 = 19.91s ± 2.15s, T3 = 17.66s ± 1.94s; F = 68.43; p < .001). No significant group by time interaction for heart rate (HR) during the repeated sprint task was present (F=0.67; p = 0.519), but there was a main effect for time (T1 = 172.4 ± 6.8bpm, T2 = 175.4 ± 2.9bpm, T3 = 170.1 ± 4.1; F = 6.25; p = .008). For RPE, there was no group by time interaction (F=1.79, p = 0.191) but, again, a main effect for time (T1 = 14.3 ± .62, T2 = 16.1 ± .57, T3 = 17.7 ± .62; F = 48.72; p < .001) was present. Lastly, there was no significant group by time interaction for voluntary rest time between repeated sprint bouts (F=0.08; p = 0.931). Further there was no main effect for time in voluntary rest times during the repeated sprint task (F=3.09; p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Grit does not discriminate between those who perform at a higher level or give greater effort in maximal exercise tasks. However, replication within athlete populations may be warranted.

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