Traits and treadmills: Association between personality and perceived fatigability in well-functioning community-dwelling older adults.

Abstract

Physical fatigability, or susceptibility to physical fatigue, is strongly associated with aging, disease, and disability. Over the lifecourse, personality traits are also connected to numerous age-related vulnerabilities and resistance-yet, their longitudinal association with fatigability remains unknown. Well-functioning community-dwelling volunteers aged ≥50 (N = 995) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) were assessed over an average of 2 years on personality traits (NEO-PI-R; openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and perceived fatigability [Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) after a 5-min slow treadmill walk; 6 (low) to 20 (high) exertion]. Linear and multinomial logistic regression models examined cross-sectional associations [treating fatigability continuously and by RPE category: low (6-7), intermediate (8-9), and high (10+)]. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) tested longitudinal associations. All models were adjusted for demographics and comorbid conditions. In cross-sectional models, openness, β = −.09 RPE (SE =.03); p < .01, conscientiousness, β = −.07 (.03); p < .05, and extraversion, β = −.10 (.03); p < .01, were negatively associated with fatigability. In parallel, lower openness, OR: .98, 95% CI [.96-1.00], conscientiousness, OR: .98, 95% CI [.96-1.00], and extraversion, OR: .97, 95% CI [.95-.99], corresponded with higher odds of having high versus low fatigability. In longitudinal models (mean follow-up time 2 ± 2 years), openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion associations remained significant and did not change over time (Trait × Year p values > .34). Together, findings suggest that personality plays a role in the perceived tolerance of fatigue in wellfunctioning older adults.

Personality and fatigue: meta-analysis of seven prospective studies

“…This result adds to the mixed literature about the association between agreeableness and fatigue 30 – 33 and between openness and fatigue 30 – 33 . This finding also complements a recent report of a relationship between higher openness and lower fatigability 24 . Openness and agreeableness are related to better health-related 54 and behavioral 25 profiles that may translate into lower fatigue.…”

“…These results add to a mixed literature that has reported either positive or no associations between extraversion and conscientiousness and fatigue 27 , 28 , 31 – 33 , 35 , 36 . Furthermore, this pattern of association complements recent findings of an association between higher extraversion and conscientiousness and lower fatigability 24 . This study also contributes to existing knowledge by revealing that these traits are predictive of lower likelihood of incident fatigue over time.…”

“…Furthermore, both conscientiousness and extraversion are associated with lower allostatic load 22 , which is related to lower fatigue 23 . Higher conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness are also associated with greater aerobic capacity and energy expenditure 21 and lower fatigability in a physical task 24 , which may translate into lower overall fatigue. Personality traits are also associated with behaviors that may have implications for fatigue.…”