A Study of Grit in the CrossFit Population

Abstract

Exercise has extensively shown to provide both physical and mental health benefits. CrossFit is one type of exercise program, and although the workouts can be strenuous, it has continued to increase in popularity since its inception in 2001. Grit has been defined as “unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger” (Merriam-Webster.com, 2019, definition of grit [entry 1 of 2], para. 4). Duckworth et al. (2007) developed a valid and reliable 12-item measure of grit – the Grit Scale. Duckworth and Quinn (2009) later adapted the original Grit Scale (Grit-O) to be a briefer and more efficient version, which they named the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S). Research on the topic of grit and research with the CrossFit population are relatively new concepts and, consequently, studies on these areas are rather limited. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the existing research on CrossFit and the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S). The objectives of this study are to examine the levels of grit in CrossFit participants compared to non-CrossFit participants and to evaluate factors (i.e., demographic and exercise behavior information) that influence grit levels. It was hypothesized that grit scores would be higher in CrossFit participants compared to those who do not participate in CrossFit. Independent samples t-tests were conducted and the results were not statistically significant. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported. Explanations for this finding are offered.