Name: Jimwell V.

Esparcia
BPED 17 ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY NO. 3 (CHAPTER 3)
INSTRUCTION: Submit Activity No. 3 in our Google Classroom on November 26, 2021 @ 8:00
am.
LOOK FOR A REASEARCH JOURNAL ABOUT PERSONALITY AND SPORTAND
PROVIDE PERTINENT INFORMATION BASED ON WHAT IS GIVEN BELOW:
Title of Research:

Personality and sport performance: The role of perfectionism, Big Five traits, and anticipated
performance in predicting the results of distance running competitions.

Abstract:
Although multiple studies have analyzed the impact of perfectionism on sport-related motivation
and emotions, studies analyzing its role in actual sport performance are scarce. In the present
paper, in two independent studies, we analyze the effects of two features of perfectionism—
perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns—on performance in a 10-kilometer street
run (Study 1; n = 332) and a half-marathon (Study 2; n = 133). The participants completed a set
of questionnaires online before the competition. In both studies, perfectionistic strivings
significantly predicted the results of the run, explaining an additional 7% (Study 1) and 13%
(Study 2) of variance beyond gender and age. Moreover, perfectionistic strivings moderated the
association between anticipated and actual performance; among perfectionistic individuals, the
relationships were markedly stronger. Additionally, Study 2 showed that the effects remained
significant after controlling for Big Five personality traits, so they cannot be attributed to
perfectionists' elevated conscientiousness. The present paper provides pioneering evidence for
a significant positive effect of perfectionistic strivings on sport performance in distance running.
LOOK FOR A REASEARCH JOURNAL ABOUT PERSONALITY AND SPORTAND
PROVIDE PERTINENT INFORMATION BASED ON WHAT IS GIVEN BELOW:
Research Problems:
The main aim of the present studies was to advance the knowledge of the possible associations
between performance in real-life competition and two dimensions of perfectionism, namely
perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. Both studies were designed to address and
resolve the shortcomings and limitations that were identified in previous studies on the topic,
especially in terms of reaching the desired level of ecological validity. Thus, we adopted an
approach similar to the one endorsed by Stoeber, Uphill, et al. (2009). However, it is vital to
underline that the statistical analyses were broadened with the use of anticipated results as an
important predictor of the final results through which perfectionistic strivings could influence
the final results. Before moving to the hypotheses, it is vital to adequately define the constructs
and concepts used in the research, especially if they might be differently understood in various
papers. Thus, throughout the present paper, we define an athlete as “a person who is trained or
skilled in a sport, especially one who regularly competes with others in organized.

Findings:
In the present paper, we attempted to provide insight into the role of domain-specific
perfectionism in predicting the results of distance running. The results of two studies, conducted
during two independent running events, provided evidence for a replicable, significant effect of
perfectionistic strivings on performance. The magnitude of the effect seems worth noting, given
that effects of psychological features on performance are rarely reported, and their magnitude is
often smaller (see Mirzaei, Nikbakhsh, & Sharififar, 2013) or at best comparable (e.g., Geukes,
Mesagno, Hanrahan, & Kellmann, 2012). In contrast, the effects of perfectionistic concerns
proved non-significant. It seems that the positive feature of perfectionism, reflected in
perfectionistic strivings, might be much more important for performance in endurance sports
such as distance running than its negative aspect depicted by perfectionistic concerns. On the
other hand, Study 1 provided some evidence for the role of perfectionistic concerns in
performance, but the effect did not turn out to be direct. Instead, perfectionistic concerns
attenuated the positive effects of perfectionistic strivings for athletes scoring high on both
dimensions, suggesting that in future analyses researchers should take into account not only
simple effects of both dimensions of perfectionism but also analyze the role of the profile of
perfectionism in athletes' functioning. This effect, however, was not replicated in Study 2, thus
formulating any conclusions regarding the interplay between these dimensions in shaping
athletic performance would be premature. Another noteworthy result refers to the significant
effect of perfectionistic strivings on anticipated performance. Again, the effect was replicated
in the second study, providing evidence for a general character of this interaction. As mentioned
above, the mechanisms responsible for this effect might concern both the phase of preparation
to the competition (a more engaged and conscientious approach to training leading to greater
awareness of one's current condition; higher precision in preparing the strategy for the
forthcoming competition) and the phase of performance (greater scrupulosity and persistence in
realization of running strategy). The results described corroborate most of the findings reported
by Stoeber, Uphill, et al. (2009), the only study to date investigating the role of perfectionism in
predicting performance in an endurance sport competition. Thus, it seems worthwhile to briefly
discuss the main similarities and differences between the studies. A similar conceptualization of
perfectionism was used in both studies, but the operationalization was slightly different due to
the fact that a different questionnaire was used in the present study. The main dissimilarity
between the two papers is the sport in which the study was conducted (triathlon vs. running),
and, subsequently, the sports level declared by the participants. While running is in fact a vital
part of triathlon, the differences in these groups of participants and in the profundity of the
effects might be far from subtle. Firstly, triathlon has much higher entry-level requirements in
terms of physical condition needed to complete the race, in turn making the preparation process
more time consuming than in the case of a 10-kilometer or half-marathon street run.
Consequently, it can be argued that typical sport performance levels of both samples may be
completely different. In the present studies, most athletes declared recreational or amateur level,
with only a small group of participants describing themselves as semi-professional or
professional. Unfortunately, it is impossible to directly compare this with data from the Stoeber
and colleagues' study, as only indicators of performance level (e.g., seasonal best) were used in
their article. However, the discussed differences can be summarized in a rather simplistic way;
it is possible to finish a 10-kilometer run without any systematic preparation, but it is rather
impossible to approach a middle distance triathlon in the same manner, as it comprises 1.9 km
of swimming, 90 km of cycling, and 21.1 km of running. Resulting conclusions may be twofold.
First, one might argue that the adaptive, positive side of perfectionism associated closely with
perfectionistic strivings is not exclusive to functioning in semi-professional or professional
sports. Recreational and amateur athletes (or their performance) can also benefit from higher
perfectionistic strivings. However, in the present sample, the magnitude of the effect of
perfectionistic strivings is slightly smaller than reported by Stoeber, Otto, et al. (2009). This
difference could be either due to the fact that the questionnaires used in both studies were not
the same or due to higher heterogeneity of the present sample in sport level. Finally, it can also
result from the difference in the duration of both activities, as with longer and more exhausting
races, psychological factors have more time and potential to significantly affect performance.
LOOK FOR A REASEARCH JOURNAL ABOUT PERSONALITY AND SPORTAND
PROVIDE PERTINENT INFORMATION BASED ON WHAT IS GIVEN BELOW:
Conclusions:
In the present research, aside from analyzing its role in race performance, the predictive power
of perfectionism on anticipated results was tested. However, as both variables were measured at
the same point of time, additional points of measurement would be necessary to determine the
direction of this relationship. Although psychometric measurements were conducted before the
competition, any inferences regarding causality of the effects of psychological features on
performance should be treated with caution. This is because it seems possible that another
confounding variable (i.e., sport engagement) could be responsible for the obtained effects.
Furthermore, it is even possible that the pre-competition level of perfectionistic strivings could
be at least partly determined by certain aspects of sports or even results of preceding
competitions. This would mean that the major finding reported here is a product of a somewhat
paradoxical causality. Such an effect would be in line with the findings reported by Damian et
al. (2017), who showed that higher academic achievement predicted increases in perfectionistic
strivings. Though obtained within another life domain, their results should increase caution in
making any inferences regarding the causal effects of perfectionism on sport performance.
Long-term longitudinal designs ap plying cross-lagged panel design would prove particularly
helpful in providing insights into the causality underpinning the main result obtained in the
present studies. It is important to note, that the relationships shown in the present article refer
only to a sport with an endurance characteristic, namely 10-kilometer and half-marathon street
runs. Having said that, it would be naive to transfer those results into sports with different
characteristics. Different sports have different demands (McCormick, Meijen, & Marcora,
2018), and it is possible that in qualitatively different (e.g., accuracy-based) sports, the
respective mechanisms and consequently the effects of perfectionism might prove completely
dissimilar, as in the case of emotions, where the very same emotions might have a positive or
detrimental influence on performance depending on whether they accompany the task demands
(Woodman et al., 2009).
Recommendations:
Lastly, the future research on perfectionism in sport could take into account the concept of
excellencism (Gaudreau, 2019). The author argues that striving for excellence may be more
adaptive compared to striving for perfection. However, sport is a unique area of human
functioning in which the question regarding adaptive or maladaptive effects of the construct
does not necessarily have to find the same answer as in other areas of life.
My Personal View about the Research Journal in relation to my work as a Sport Coach and PE
Teacher. (Write explanation in the box provided. You can add other box if not enough.)

The research journal has essential part in relation to my work as a Sport Coach and PE teacher

in a way that it dignifies my work and brings confidence to my profession as a PE teacher.

Through research journal I could be able to understand what works or teaching pedagogies or

even coaching strategies should I need to take and why in order for my students and athletes

able to meet their needs and goals. What are the short and long-term implications that I need to

provide for them, thus this implication helps me to justify the basis of my decisions and actions

to take. This would also help me to build repertoire to help deal with the unexpected findings

and results to the problems that I need to seek solution when it comes to personality and sports

and in the field of physical education. Identify those problems and to make sure that my students

and athletes has improvement and can achieve their full potential. As PE teachers research

journal are always learning by doing, finding out things, analyzing information, received, and

looking to improve and adapting to modern demands. When it comes to sport an physical

education, I need to involves creative thinking and experimentation where as my students could

be able to grasp the lesson, the knowledge, and skills effectively and can apply in in their own

daily lived efficiently. The research journal could help me as PE teacher to take actions that can

lead to help improved my students performance and my athletes, increased motivation,

commitment, and behavior.