[Dyslipidemia and personality--an investigation of 376 aged athletes]

There exists much evidence for a close connection between "Type A" personality and a high cardiovascular risk. In addition, there seems to be a strong association between high lipids and personality as well. In this investigation we addressed the question of this relationship.

In a sample of n = 376 male life-time athletes, born 1910 to 1940 a retrospective longitudinal study aiming at motor development and influencing factors was conducted including for instance data concerning health status, personality, locus-of-control. In the sample (medium age of 65 years) the prevalence for hypercholesterin-/triglyceridemia equals 35%. The objective of the present study was the identification of sub-samples with significantly higher prevalences defining personality features, locus-of-control and closely related constructs as independent variables. The data analysis was performed using CHAID. The sample is separated into 14 subgroups by the combination of 10 predictors. Above average prevalences were found in people with the key personality features of "tension", "neuroticism", "aggressiveness", and "extraversion" in several combinations. If a low personal-best or many statements "sport becomes less important" gain relevance, the prevalence rises to 100%. A trustworthy occupation and "neuroticism" predict a percentage of 83%. "Aggression" and "extraversion" are related to an unhealthy, "worrying about ones health" to a healthy lifestyle. The latter as well as low "life-satisfaction" and feeling "dependent upon others" correspond to compensatory sport engagement. Many results therefore support findings concerning the protective power of sport and the negative impact of tension, neuroticism, and inactivity. Our results showed a close association between features of "Type A" personality and high lipids in older life-time athletes. It is only possible to speculate about causality. A plausible idea is to consider a common patho-physiological basis of changes in metabolism and personality (e.g. sympathic activity or "drive"). In any case, the above mentioned personality features moderate unhealthy behavior patterns leading to hypercholesterin-/triglyceridemia.