Elite athletes are higher on Grit than a comparison sample of non-athletes

Abstract

This study examines whether grit and conscientiousness distinguish elite-sport performers from a comparison sample of non-athletes. Participants were 128 elite athletes and 1701 adults recruited through a human resource company. Both groups filled out short-form questionnaires measuring grit and conscientiousness. Consistent with expectations, there was a high positive correlation between grit and conscientiousness and the elite athletes reported higher grit than the non-athletes. Contrary to expectations, the non-athletes scored higher on conscientiousness compared to the elite athletes. The importance of grit for attaining elite status in sport is discussed.