Physical activity and personality change in people with chronic respiratory diseases: Evidence from two longitudinal samples

Lower physical activity in people with chronic respiratory diseases is related to detrimental health outcomes. However, no study has investigated the moderating role of physical activity on personality change in this population. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the association between physical activity and personality change in people with chronic respiratory diseases. Participants ( N = 2253; age range: 24–97) were drawn from two US longitudinal samples with multiple self-report measures of personality and physical activity collected over a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 18 years. Controlling for demographic factors, a random-effects meta-analysis showed that overall higher physical activity during follow-up was related to smaller declines in extraversion and conscientiousness. There was no association with changes in neuroticism, openness to experience and agreeableness. These findings highlight that physical activity in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases predicts individual differences in personality trait change, and may contribute to more favorable trajectories, which could promote better health outcomes. • Physical activity is related to personality change in chronic respiratory diseases. • Higher physical activity is related to smaller decrease in extraversion. • Higher physical activity is related to smaller decrease in conscientiousness.