Journal of

Introduction and purpose: Different personality factors and impulsivity can directly affect life style and behaviors of older people. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare impulsivity and personality factors in physically active elderly and sedentary individuals.

Materials and methods: This comparative correlational study used random stratified sampling method to recruit 90 elderly living at Tabriz city in 2012.  Data were collected using five personality factors questionnaire (NEO) and Barrat impulsivity Scale. We used independent sample t-tests, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient to analyze data using SPSS software version 19. Actual data analysis was conducted among only 80 participants (40 active and 40 non-active elders) who completely answered questionnaires. 

Findings: Findings from the present study revealed a significant difference in openness personality (p=0.013) among active vs. sedentary elderly. There was a direct relationship between impulsivity and Neuroticism (r=0.393, p=0.02) while, there was a significant negative correlation between impulsivity and extraversion (r=-0.320, p=0.013), agreeableness (r=-0.598, p=0.001) and conscientiousness (r=-0/684, p=0.01). Besides, there was a positive significant association between impulsivity and lack of program elements (r=0.272, p=0.037), cognitive impulsivity (r=0.386, p=0.003). In contrast, series of negetaive significant correltion was reported between Neuroticism and extraversion (r=-0.317, p=0.014) agreeableness (r=-0.447, p=0.001) as well as conscientiousness (r=-0528, p=0.001).

conclusion: There was no significant difference between subscales of impulsivity and personality factors (except openness) in active and inactive elderly men. However there was a relationship between impulsivity and some of personality factors which can be influenced by several factors, including physical activity.