167. The relationship between your personality and aging of your brain
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Having certain personality traits might affect your later risk of cognitive impairment, according to a study published last week in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Researchers at the University of Victoria in Canada analyzed the personalities of almost 2,000 people, looking at three key personality traits – conscientiousness, extroversion and neuroticism. Neuroticism is a trait that affects how a person deals with stress. Neurotic people often see minor frustrations as overwhelming or threatening. Conscientious people tend to be self-disciplined, organized and goal-directed. And extroverts are enthusiastic about life and often assertive and outgoing. The researchers found that extroverts and people with a high score on conscientiousness or a low score in neuroticism were significantly less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment as they got older.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
