CONNECTIVITY OF ATHLETES’ PERSONALITY TRAITS AND CAREER PERIOD AS THEIR PREDICTOR

Not only cognitive processes and training, but also personality traits are important for successful practicing of sport. 69 athletes were studied in Bulgaria by means of some computerized test methods from Vienna Test system (4DPI concerning their compatibility for team work, RISIKO concerning their readiness for risk-taking, AHA concerning their frustration tolerance and aspiration level) and three questionnaires concerning their aggression, neuroticism, and communicative self-control. The results indicated that some personality traits were interrelated. A group of relationships between the personality traits included neuroticism, communicative self-control, and physical aggression. Another group of relationships between the studied personality variables included compatibility for team work and readiness for risk-taking. Indirect aggression was a linking variable between aspiration level on the one hand, communicative self-control and physical aggression on the other hand, and also with readiness for risk taking. Frustration tolerance was not related to the other studied personality traits in the athletes. The period of sports experience, and age both predicted athletes' compatibility. The period of sports experience also predicted athletes' readiness for risk taking and indirect aggression. The importance of these findings for reducing traumatic experiences in athletes was discussed.