Five-Factor Model Traits Research Articles

Rapid Effects of MDMA Administration on Self-Reported Personality Traits and Affect State: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults

ABSTRACT 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assisted therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and emerging research suggests a change in personality traits may be a factor in treatment response. Most prior research on MDMA and personality has focused on cross-sectional comparisons of MDMA users and non-users; as such, well-controlled research assessing personality and affective states change following MDMA vs placebo administration is needed. In the current pre-registered study, we investigated the impact of MDMA administration on five-factor model (FFM) traits and affective states before and 48 h after drug administration in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of healthy adults (N = 34). Statistical significance was not observed for the four a priori hypotheses; however, medium effect sizes were found between MDMA administration and trait Openness and Positive Affect 48 h following drug administration, compared to placebo (d = .79 and .51, respectively). This study provides initial results to help guide future well-powered studies with large samples and longer follow-up timepoints to continue to investigate how MDMA impacts personality and emotional experience, which may inform optimization of MDMA treatment approaches.

A Fundamental Difference in the Nature of Personal Values and Personality Traits Revealed Through Different Patterns of Stability Across Their Distributions.

Personal values and personality traits are both important aspects of personality, but much is still unknown about the fundamental differences between the constructs, including how their patterns of temporal stability compare. This paper investigated patterns of intra-individual stability in both values and traits. Quantile correlations were estimated between each of the 20 refined personal values and the same values 2 years later in a large longitudinal sample of Australian adults (N = 2875). The same was done for each of the 15 Five-Factor Model trait facets in a subsample of these participants (n = 2424). It was observed that more important values tended to remain more stable over time, while traits retained a similar stability regardless of trait strength, and frequently showed small decreases in stability at extreme levels. Findings indicate that highly prioritized values may be a more central aspect of the self, and a more reliable element for predicting future outcomes, than less highly prioritized values, but in contrast, traits do not function in a way that is dependent on trait strength.

Revisiting the nature and strength of the personality-job performance relations: New insights from interpretable machine learning.

Prior research on the relations between the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits and job performance has suggested mixed findings: Some studies pointed to linear relations, while other studies revealed nonlinear relations. This study addresses these gaps using machine learning (ML) methods that can model complex relations between the FFM traits and job performance in a more generalizable way, particularly interpretable ML techniques that can more effectively reveal the nature (linear, curvilinear, interactive) and strength (feature/relative importance) of the personality-job performance relations. Overall, the results based on a sample of 1,190 employees suggest that nonlinear ML methods perform slightly yet consistently better than linear regression methods in modeling the relation of job performance with FFM facets, but not with factors. On the factor level, conscientiousness exhibits a noticeable curvilinear relation with job performance, and it also interacts with other FFM factors to predict job performance. Conscientiousness displays the strongest feature importance across job types, followed by agreeableness. On the facet level, most FFM facets show limited evidence for curvilinear and interactive (with other facets) relations with job performance. While several conscientiousness facets (order, deliberation, self-discipline) display the strongest feature importance in predicting job performance, some agreeableness (straightforwardness, altruism) and extraversion (positive emotionality) facets also emerge as important features for different sales job types (corporate vs. individual sales). We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Moderators of the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and externalizing problems in youth.

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported online in Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment on Oct 26 2023 (see record 2024-19662-001). In the original article, the authors changed the order of authorship from "Blair D. Batky, Allison N. Shields, Jennifer L. Tackett, and Randall T. Salekin" to "Blair D. Batky, Allison N. Shields, Randall T. Salekin, and Jennifer L. Tackett." All versions of this article have been corrected. The names appear correctly in this record.] Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., tendencies to experience low levels of guilt and empathy) are associated with severe and persistent conduct problems in youth. However, some youth with elevated CU traits do not exhibit severe externalizing problems, and further research is needed to identify conditions under which CU traits are more versus less strongly associated with higher levels of externalizing behavior. To this end, the current preregistered study examined whether internalizing problems, five-factor model personality traits, and parenting practices moderated associations between CU traits and externalizing problems. Caregivers of 1,232 youth ages 6-18 (Mage = 11.46) reported on youths' CU traits, externalizing, internalizing, and five-factor model traits as well as on their own parenting practices. We found that the relationship between CU traits and externalizing was robust to the moderating effects of internalizing problems and parenting practices, but CU traits were more strongly related to externalizing problems at higher levels of neuroticism and at lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of externalizing problems among youth high in CU traits and may inform future longitudinal and intervention research seeking to identify factors that reduce externalizing behavior among high-CU youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Beyond broad and narrow: Intermediate level traits in the personality of bridge players.

Games offer a unique context for studying human behavior within the realm of social interactions, where a crucial aspect is the role of personality. The personality of individuals is often conceptualized as divided between general traits (broad traits) that are difficult to apply to specific situations and highly specific traits (narrow traits) that only offer a partial depiction of contextual aspects. In this study, we propose an intermediary level of traits revealed through self-ratings (as broad traits), but defined with respect to a particular game context (as narrow traits). We focus on the popular game of Bridge, which is complex and similar to real-life interactions involving incomplete information, adversarial and cooperative concerns, and communication between players. Using a multidimensional analysis of a new 66-item Bridge Inventory survey completed by 1,300 players, we identified five factors (Aggressiveness, Discipline, Creativity, Emotionality, and Experience) that were meaningfully correlated with broad traits of the Five Factor Model (FFM), supporting their validity. Based on these game-related traits, we identified three types of Bridge players: Conventional, Measured, and Subversive and demonstrated the limitations of FFM traits in capturing nuances of player types. The results of our study highlight a discrepancy between broad, context-independent personality traits and narrow, game-specific traits. We propose that this gap can be bridged through self-ratings, revealing a set of intermediate-level, context-dependent traits, which are expected to better encompass interindividual variability in the context of social interactions.

Predicting neuroticism with open-ended response using natural language processing.

With rapid advancements in natural language processing (NLP), predicting personality using this technology has become a significant research interest. In personality prediction, exploring appropriate questions that elicit natural language is particularly important because questions determine the context of responses. This study aimed to predict levels of neuroticism-a core psychological trait known to predict various psychological outcomes-using responses to a series of open-ended questions developed based on the five-factor model of personality. This study examined the model's accuracy and explored the influence of item content in predicting neuroticism. A total of 425 Korean adults were recruited and responded to 18 open-ended questions about their personalities, along with the measurement of the Five-Factor Model traits. In total, 30,576 Korean sentences were collected. To develop the prediction models, the pre-trained language model KoBERT was used. Accuracy, F1 Score, Precision, and Recall were calculated as evaluation metrics. The results showed that items inquiring about social comparison, unintended harm, and negative feelings performed better in predicting neuroticism than other items. For predicting depressivity, items related to negative feelings, social comparison, and emotions showed superior performance. For dependency, items related to unintended harm, social dominance, and negative feelings were the most predictive. We identified items that performed better at neuroticism prediction than others. Prediction models developed based on open-ended questions that theoretically aligned with neuroticism exhibited superior predictive performance.

A Latent Profile Analysis of Greek University Students’ Sexting Profiles: Associations with Big Five Personality Traits

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sexting profiles and five factor model (FFM) personality traits among Greek university students. A sample of 2913 participants predominantly aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 22; SD = 3.54; 69.6% females) completed a self-report online questionnaire that measured sexting behaviors and FFM traits. Latent profile analysis identified five distinct profiles which were labeled uninvolved, consensual sexters, non-consensual sexters, unwanted sexters, and highly involved sexters. The different sexting profiles were associated with distinct patterns of FFM trait scores. Specifically, the uninvolved scored higher on agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness than those highly involved in sexting, consensual, non-consensual, and unwanted sexters. Furthermore, those who sent unwanted sexts were more likely to be emotionally unstable than the consensual sexters and those not involved. These findings indicate that sexting behaviors may be related to certain personality traits and emphasize the importance of considering individual differences when studying sexting behaviors. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Personality and rock-climbing performance progression: a 12-months follow-up

ABSTRACT Although multiple investigations analysed the impact of personality on sport-related practice and outcomes, its contribution to explaining performance in high-risk or extreme sports was not thoroughly investigated. The present investigation pursues three different objectives: (1) identifying whether Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits are stable predictors of rock-climbing performance; (2) analysing the extent to which grit consistently explains various facets of rock-climbing performance, over and beyond the FFM traits; and (3) examining the extent to which grit is a consistent predictor of long-term rock-climbing progression. Data on rock-climbing performance was collected with a lag of 12 months after the collection of personality data. Participants (N = 113; 43 females and 70 males) with ages between 17 and 67 (M = 34.19, SD = 10.53) completed a comprehensive measure of rock-climbing performance (times 1 and 2). At time 1, personality was measured with the Big Five Inventory FFM –2 Short Form, and the 12-item Grit Scale, respectively. The International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA) scale was used to measure various facets of rock-climbing performance at both times 1 and 2. Our previous findings were partly replicated, both openness to experience and grit emerging as consistent predictors of rock-climbing performance. However, no personality trait showed a significant association with climbing performance progression.

91 Personality Traits Account for Variability in Self-Reported Executive Functioning but not Objective Executive Performance.

Objective:This study evaluated the relation between five-factor model (FFM) personality traits and intra-individual variability (IIV) in executive functioning (EF) using both subjective self-report and objectives measures of EF.Participants and Methods:165 university participants (M=19 years old, SD=1.3; 55.2% White, 35.2% African American, 72.7% female) completed the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale-Long Form (BDEFS), IPIP-NEO Personality Inventory, Trail-Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B, and the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) EF module. A participant’s IIV was calculated as the standard deviation around their own mean performance. Objective EF IIV was computed from T-scores for performance on Trails A, Trails B, and the NAB EF module. Subjective EF IIV was computed from T-scores for performance across BDEFS domains.Results:Pearson r correlations were used to evaluate the relation between subjective and objective IIV and FFM traits of personality. Subjective EF IIV was positively correlated with FFM neuroticism [r=.48; p<.001] and negatively correlated with FFM conscientiousness [r=-.43; p<.001], extraversion [r=-.18; p=.023] and agreeableness [r=-.22; p=.004]. There were no significant associations between FFM traits and objective EF IIV performance. There was additionally no significant relation between subjective EF IIV performance and objective EF IIV.Conclusions:Personality traits were associated with individual variability on a self-reported measure of EF but not on performance-based EF measures. These results suggest that IIV for the BDEFS was influenced by personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, and may reflect method variance. It was notable that IIV was not correlated between subjective and objective EF measures.

Developmental trajectory of ostracism during the transition to college: The role of the five-factor model traits

This study aims to examine the developmental trajectory of the ostracism of freshman and the role of the Five-Factor Model traits during the transition to college. A total of 977 freshmen (270 males, 707 females) from a college in Guizhou Province, China, were followed up once a month for a total of 4 assessments. The unconditional latent growth model showed that the ostracism of freshmen declined linearly during the transition to college. The conditional latent growth model showed that neuroticism significantly positively predicted the intercept and slope of ostracism. Agreeableness, extraversion and openness significantly negatively predicted the intercept of ostracism, while conscientiousness did not predict the intercept. Agreeableness and conscientiousness negatively predicted the slope of ostracism, while extraversion and openness had no predictive effects. Overall, the unconditional latent growth model provides the first empirical support for the changes in ostracism proposed in the temporal need-threat model and the integrated model of workplace ostracism. Additionally, this study is the first to explore the role of Five-Factor Model traits in the dynamics of ostracism.

Five-factor personality dimensions and their associations with early maladaptive schemas in individuals with major depressive disorder

Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the third leading cause of disease burden, accounting for 4.3% of the global burden of disease. Personality traits, as described in the Five-Factor Model, are consistently associated with individual’s well-being and mental health. Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) are self-perpetuating dysfunctional cognitive structures that have been linked with psychological health and play a significant role in developing and maintaining psychological distress. Both personality traits and EMS have been extensively studied as contributors to MDD symptoms. Objectives To our knowledge, very few studies have attempted to link personality to EMS in clinical samples. The present study aimed to investigate the association between EMS with personality traits of Five-Factor Model in a clinical sample of patients with MDD in Crete, Greece. Methods Two hundred and two patients with a clinical diagnosis of MDD (81.7% females, aged 47.75±14.06 years) participated in the study. The Traits Personality Questionnaire was used to measure personality traits in terms of neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness dimensions. The Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF 3) was used to evaluate 18 EMS which are grouped in five domains: disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and overvigilance and inhibition. Results Significant associations between EMS and personality traits were found. Specifically, a higher level of all EMS domains was found in patients with MDD scoring higher in neuroticism and lower in extraversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness (apart from the association of agreeableness with other-directedness which was non-significant). Openness was negatively related to other-directedness. Conclusions Although causal inferences cannot be made due to the cross-sectional design of the present study, our findings are in accordance with Schema Therapy that affirms a relationship between innate temperament and EMS. Future research should examine whether psychological interventions focusing at healing EMS will contribute to alteration of personality traits. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Examining facet-level distinctions within the trait-interpersonal model of suicide risk

Recent research has merged Five Factor Model (FFM) traits and Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) risk factors within a trait-interpersonal theory of suicide to identify the effects of personality on social-cognitive suicide risk factors and subsequent engagement in suicide-related behaviors. Facet-level analyses may increase the identification of specific personality characteristics most associated with heightened suicide risk. The present study examined how FFM domains and facet-level traits differentially related to suicide risk within an IPTS framework. A sample of 281 community adults completed measures of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, acquired capability, and FFM characteristics. Each IPTS risk factor demonstrated overlapping characteristics in relation to broad FFM domains that were differentiated by facet-level traits. Findings suggest that specific facet-level traits subsumed by broad FFM domains may explain inconsistent relations between FFM traits and suicide risk when examined at the domain level.

Five-Factor Model Personality Traits and the Trajectory of Episodic Memory: Individual-Participant Meta-Analysis of 471,821 Memory Assessments from 120,640 Participants.

Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits are associated with concurrent memory function and risk of incident dementia but are less consistently associated with the change in episodic memory. The present research analyzes multiple large-scale studies with a consistent analytic approach to evaluate the association between personality and change in episodic memory over time. Across nine public longitudinal data sets, 120,640 participants provided 471,821 memory assessments over up to 26 years (age range 18-108). FFM traits were tested as predictors of the average level (intercept) and change over time (slope) of episodic memory. Results from the individual samples were meta-analyzed to summarize the associations. Consistent with expectations for the intercept, higher neuroticism was associated with worse memory performance, whereas higher openness and conscientiousness were associated with better performance; extraversion and agreeableness were also associated with better performance. Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness were related to declines in memory only in samples with more than two assessments of memory. The other three traits were unrelated to memory slope. The pattern was similar when participants with dementia were excluded from the analysis, and the association with the slope was not moderated by age. FFM traits have a robust association with average memory performance. Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness were associated with declines in memory performance only among samples with more than two memory assessments. The heterogeneity across studies suggests that multiple memory assessments are needed to reliably detect change over time, which may be one reason for past inconsistencies across studies.

A-199 The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS): Personality index or a measure of executive functioning?

Abstract Objective: The BDEFS was compared to objective executive functioning (EF) measures as well as five-factor model (FFM) personality traits. Methods: One hundred sixty-five participants (M=19 years old, SD=1.3; 72.7% female, 55.2% White, 35.2% African American, 4.8% Asian) completed IPIP-NEO Personality Inventory, BDEFS-Long Form, Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) EF module, and Trail-Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B. Results: EF measures were reduced to a single-factor score using EFA (TMT A and B; NAB Mazes, Categories, and Word Generation subtests) accounting for 34% of the variance. Regression predicting BDEFS total score from the EF factor score was not significant [F(1,163)=.182; p =.67, r2=.001]. Stepwise multiple regression predicting BDEFS total score from FFM traits identified three significant predictors (neuroticism: β=.390, extraversion: β=.239, and conscientiousness: β=-.572) that accounted for 54% of the variance [F(5,159)=36.78; p<.001, r2=.54]. Stepwise regression predicting the EF factor score from FFM traits was not significant [F(5,159)=.57; p=.721, r2=.018]. Conclusions: Performance-based EF measures were not related to BDEFS total score supporting that different constructs are being measured. Personality traits accounted for a majority of variance in BDEFS performance but minimal variance for performance-based EF performance. These results suggest that personality traits are strongly related to an individual’s appraisal of executive dysfunction.

The DSM should replace maladaptive traits with the five-factor model: Comment on Clark and Watson (2022).

In their target article, Watson and Clark made a number of useful suggestions for improving Criterion B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, alternative model of personality disorders, all of which assume that personality variation will be represented in the next iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a maladaptive trait variation diagnostic of personality disorders (PDs). I describe how maladaptive traits are not equivalent to normal-range five-factor model traits in terms of domain structure, range, and stability, and I conclude that rather than making subtle changes to the existing maladaptive trait model for PDs, it would be better to replace it with a genuine five-factor model that could be used to conceptualize all patients, whether or not they are diagnosed with a PD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Managing knowledge reuse: the duality of innovator personality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide new insights for managing knowledge reuse in terms of the duality of innovator personality. Continuously developing new products is crucial for firms to maintain and enhance their competitive advantages. However, the limited and highly specialized knowledge can cause innovators of firms to face difficulties in the process of new product development (NPD). In this setting, knowledge reuse becomes a solution that may benefit innovators to overcome the innovation dilemma. Given the fact that innovators with different personality are likely to form incongruent cognitions and affection on knowledge reuse, thus subsequently affecting the performance of NPD, there is an urgent need to investigate the effects of innovator personality in the entire process of knowledge reuse.Design/methodology/approachThis paper exploits five-factor model (FFM) of personality to comprehensively investigate the dual effects of innovator personality in managing knowledge reuse based on the two distinct sets of knowledge reuse initiation and implementation.FindingsBy using the data from 981 innovators of knowledge-intensive firms in China, this study finds that the FFM traits of conscientiousness and agreeableness had opposing effects on initiation and implementation of knowledge reuse. While the FFM traits of emotional stability and openness to experience both positively affect the knowledge reuse initiation and implementation. Moreover, the FFM traits of extraversion benefit the shaping of knowledge reuse initiation whereas encumbering the implementation of knowledge reuse.Originality/valueFirst, this study reveals the different roles of cognitive and affective traits of personality in shaping knowledge reuse. Second, this study exposes the role of innovator personality in determining the performance effects of knowledge reuse implementation. Third, this study highlights the dual effects of innovator personality in managing knowledge reuse. This study offers evidence for arranging the innovators with appropriate FFM traits in various stages of knowledge reuse.

Is relational aggression a means of pursuing social goals among adolescents with specific personality traits?

AbstractThis study explored the short‐term longitudinal associations between Five Factor Model (FFM) and social goals (social dominance, popularity, and intimacy), with relational aggression (RAgg) as a mediator. RAgg was claimed to mediate the positive correlations of neuroticism with dominance and popularity, whereas extraversion was argued to positively relate to intimacy through low RAgg. The participants were 2207 Greek 13‐ to 16‐year‐olds (M = 14.04; 52.8% female), mostly from middle‐class families. Respondents completed three self‐report measures (T1, T2; 6‐month interval) during the school year. Confirmatory factor analysis explored a measurement model, whereas a longitudinal mediation model tested whether RAgg mediates the relationship between personality and social goals. Cross‐lagged correlations revealed associations of RAgg with neuroticism, dominance, and popularity but not openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness. Weak positive correlations emerged between FFM traits and intimacy, neuroticism, and dominance. Results indicated positive indirect effects from Τ1 neuroticism and negative from T1 agreeableness to Τ2 RAgg, which was then positively linked to T2 dominance and popularity. The research highlights the importance of RAgg as a mechanism for endorsing social goals for adolescents with specific personality traits. Intervention strategies aiming at limiting RAgg could consider agreeableness and neuroticism, providing adolescents with the behavioral tools to cope with anxiety and negative affect.

Put your feet up: The impact of personality traits, job pressure, and social support on the need for recovery after work

The need for recovery after work (NFR) is an important warning of work-related fatigue. NFR is linked to prolonged work-related efforts and depletion of resources, creating a need for temporary respite from work demands. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between NFR and the five-factor model (FFM), comprising the personality traits of emotional stability (ES), extraversion (E), agreeableness (A), conscientiousness (C), and openness to experience (O). Perceived job pressure and perceived social support were included as mediators. The study was conducted using structural equation modelling (SEM) on cross-sectional data from a sample of 681 participants from several work sectors (N females = 376, N males = 305; M age = 46.9 years; SD = 11.1). The results showed that NFR was affected both directly and indirectly by FFM traits. High ES and high O contributed directly to reduced and increased NFR, respectively. High perceived social support contributed to reduced NFR, while high perceived job pressure contributed to increased NFR. High ES contributed indirectly to reduced NFR through perceived job pressure and social support, high O contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived social support, and high E contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived job pressure. A and C were not related to NFR. The findings demonstrate that personality traits, especially ES, are firmly related to NFR and highlight the importance of incorporating personality factors into studies of work environmental factors on NFR.

Neuroticism and PTSD symptoms: Gender moderates the mediating effect of peritraumatic emotions and dissociation.

Gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence and severity are well established; there is also growing evidence that men and women develop PTSD symptoms differently. This article aims to examine gender differences in the relationship between PTSD symptoms and personality traits according to the Five Factor model (FFM), based on the data from different studies conducted in Poland. The meta-analysis method and path analyses were conducted on the data from seven studies, including 1,182 women and 1,150 men. Five studies were carried out among motor vehicle accident survivors, one from fire and flood victims. All of the studies had a cross-sectional design. All FFM traits were significantly related to PTSD symptoms. Neuroticism showed the strongest relationship. Further analyses revealed a moderated mediation of this relationship: It was stronger for men and mediated by peritraumatic emotions and dissociation for women. The results indicate that PTSD development is mediated by peritraumatic factors, but this mediation is moderated by gender. Men with higher Neuroticism are at particular risk of developing PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Personality, grit, and performance in rock-climbing: down to the nitty-gritty

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, the study of personality gained momentum in the field of sport psychology, a prime example being the increased number of publications relating personality to performance in extreme sports. The aim of the present investigation was twofold: to relate Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits with various aspects of climbing performance and to estimate whether grit, as a distinct personality trait, predicts climbing performance over and beyond FFM dimensions. Our sample included adult bouldering and sport climbing practitioners (N = 272 sport climbers, 155 boulderers) with ages between 16 and 69 (M = 32.1, SD = 10.0). We measured personality (Big Five Inventory FFM–2 Short Form, and a 12-item Grit Scale) and multiple indicators of outdoor sport climbing and bouldering performance. Results indicated that climbing performance was predicted by openness and agreeableness. Grit also significantly predicted climbing performance over the FFM traits. Contrary to the commonly held view depicting grit as indistinct from conscientiousness, our findings suggest that this trait has a unique contribution to explaining performance in a relatively novel, high-risk sport.