Hardy personality in athletes and birth order

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the variables of resistant personality in athletes, and physical activity practitioners, depending on the order of birth. The sample was 492 Spanish athletes and physical activity practitioners. The Marathon Resistant Personality Scale (EPRM) and the Oviedo Response Infrequency Scale (INFOV) were used. The results showed higher levels of commitment (p <0.05) and, therefore, a resistant personality (p <0.05) in athletes who take third place or more in the order of siblings. This difference does not appear among those who practice physical exercise as a healthy activity, without being federated. This influence of the birth order on the resistant personality of athletes may be due to the greater wealth of social interactions they have in the family home when living in a large family.