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.