This article is reprinted with permission from The Bulletin of Psychological Type.
The Bulletin is a publication of the Association for PsychologicalType.
The Sensing Function and Physical Activity
APTi Bulletin Vol. 26 No. 1 (2003) by Suzanne Brue
As I suggested in my last article (Bulletin Vol. 25, No. 3, Fall, 2002), the difficulty for many people in maintaining an exercise program frequently results from choosing an exercise program that is incompatible with their personality, and is “doomed from the start.” My research in this area indicates there are different motivations, styles, and requirements that influence the kinds of exercise activities and environments that are preferred by each of the 16 types.
In an effort to gather information about the connection between type and physical exercise, I have been interviewing individuals with various personality types who exercise regularly, asking the following questions:
- Describe a typical week of exercise .
- Where do you exercise? What aspect of the environment is important to you?
- Do you exercise alone or with friend, family, or group?
- What motivates you to exercise? Describe the benefits.
- Describe your history of physical exercise.
- What types of exercise, exercise interactions, or environments turn you off?
- What coaching/training styles work, or don’t work, for you?
- What advice would you give to people of your type who do not exercise?
For the purpose of this brief article, I will provide highlights from a few interviews to illustrate the sensing function and its connection to physical exercise. Intuition will be explored in a future article.
Although individuals with extraverted sensation and introverted sensing perceive information and data through the senses, the extraverted and introverted expression of this function differs dramatically in form and, perhaps, nowhere is this more evident than their approach to physical exercise.
Extraverted Sensing
ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, ISFP
Extraverted sensation in the dominant or auxiliary position is typified by an outward focus on the physical world with attention directed toward and merging with the environment. The present is the reality. Information is perceived in an uncategorized fashion. People with extraverted sensation are typically motivated and engaged in physical activity and exercise in the following ways:
- Attracted to the highest level of sensory stimulation
- Enjoy using their outstanding ability to navigate
- Live in real time
- Enjoy exercise that provides an opportunity to enjoy observing details in the physical environment
- Relish spontaneous activities
- Embrace active and lively activities that call for quick response
- Pursue novelty, but prefer it to be a variation of what they already know, rather than something completely new.
ESFP, ESTP
Extraverted sensation in the dominant position is characterized by an attraction to activities in the environment on a large scale. When the auxiliary is feeling, the attraction usually involves the companionship of individuals or groups of people. When the auxiliary is thinking, the attraction is to performance or competition.
Physical Activity the Fun-loving, ESFP Way
Sharon is a 45-year-old veterinarian living in rural Vermont. In response to my first question asking her to describe a typical week of exercise, Sharon laughed loudly. “There’s no such thing as typical,” she said, “but I’ll talk about yesterday.”
“When I woke up, I thought I might be gardening. But a friend called, asking me to go sailing. So with two kayaks, two bikes and dogs, my friend and I headed to Lake Champlain. I put the kayaks on top of the car in case the wind wasn’t good or we were too late to go out. No sense in getting pissed off if you’re late and blow it.”
“‘Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.’ That’s the NOLES (National Outdoor Leadership Program) slogan.”
“What did you say?” I asked, trying to catch up to the conversation. “That’s the NOLES slogan.” she repeated. “It’s what I live by.”
Karen went on to describe the back of her car where she always keeps roller blades, a wet suit, a dry suit, and a wind shirt. “If I keep it all in the car, I can just walk in and out of the house.” “What would you suggest to people of your type who get off track?” I asked. “Have a friend e-mail or call you with something fun to do”, she quickly responded.
ISFP, ISTP
Extraverted sensation in the auxiliary position is typified by an attraction to solitary activities in the environment. When the dominant and introverted attitude is feeling, the attraction is toward a quiet appreciation of the physical environment. When the dominant and introverted attitude is thinking, the attraction is toward the most efficient and competent way to get “from here to there.”
Managing Risks the ISTP Way
Lawson (ISTP), a forty-year-old college administrator, works out at home on a Stairmaster at least three days a week. Two days a week, he goes to the fitness center on campus to lift weights. It has become a routine and Lawson claims that he follows it because “I like the idea of being fit. Being fit supports my recreation which is what I really love to do.”
Recreation for Lawson is an early Saturday morning climb to the summit of Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. “Last Saturday, I left the base at 7:00 a.m. and made it to the summit by 8:15. There was eight inches of snow and it was so beautiful. I just sat there.” Eight years ago, Lawson climbed Mt. Denali with a group of eight men. As Lawson described the experience in our interview, “It was the adventure, the cold, the challenge, the danger, and the extreme of things that motivated me to make the climb. I find risk factors exhilarating. I like understanding what risks are involved, preparing for them, and being able to overcome them. I like being self-reliant. I like being on the edge, but controlling the edge.”
Introverted Sensing
ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ
Introverted sensation perceives the physical environment through the senses and immediately categorizes and stores the sensory data in memory, thus creating a subjective sensory framework in which to match experience and impressions. The enjoyment and ease of physical activity suggests that these types are typically motivated in the following ways:
• Having a routine is attractive and comforting
• Motivated by following a schedule and standard procedures
• Attracted to exercise that has been tested and found to work
• Like to exercise in an orderly environment
• Exercising correctly is important
• Measuring workout is motivating and enjoyable
• Are careful not to “over-do”
ISTJ, ISFJ
Introverted sensation in the dominant position is characterized by a highly sensitized awareness and focus on the physical body. When the secondary and extraverted function is feeling, the sensitivity is directed toward a harmonious interpersonal environment. When the secondary and extraverted function is thinking, the sensitivity is directed toward efficiency and results.
Routine, Order, and Friendliness the ISFJ Way
“I exercise three times a week. I do 20-25 minutes of cardiovascular, plus stretching and sit-ups. I walk when I can, probably about 11-12 hours a week.” Elliott, director of the Psychology Department at a college, articulated specific and detailed responses to my questions about his exercise patterns. In describing his exercise habits, Elliott described using the same cardiovascular machines each time he visited the YMCA. He went on to say, “It feels good to do the same thing. It’s hard to change. I take comfort in the routine.”
Elliott was clear about what he did and why he did it. During our interview he described the components in his exercise program clearly, concisely, and systematically. He had reasons and justifications to support his chosen program.
“I belong to the Y because it is user friendly, gay friendly, and reflects the best of the city’s diversity. The Y is a bit tattered and worn, but it is clean and people are friendly and responsive to complaints.”
Elliott changed his membership to the YMCA from a private fitness club where he belonged for 15 years. He described his previous club as “dirty and unresponsive to complaints.” In addition to these shortcomings, Elliott did not like the conversations in the gym and locker room which he described as, “macho and old boy.”
FSTJ, FSFJ
Introverted sensation in the auxiliary position is characterized by a preference for planned exercise with routine and structure. When the dominant is extraverted thinking, the activities are directed toward staying in shape and getting results. When the dominant is extraverted feeling, the activities are directed toward a familiar routine and connecting with others.
Finding the Right Combination for an FSTJ
Penny (ESTJ), at age 34, is the marketing manager of a local software company and the mother of two young children. Penny walks vigorously in her neighborhood five days a week. She walks 4-5 miles and always the same route. She finds the repetition relaxing and enjoys getting “lost in thought” on her walks. For variety she walks with other people, as long as they can keep up with her pace.
In addition, Penny belongs to a nearby fitness center where she attends an organized class for cardio/weights for one hour twice a week and works out with dumbbells two to three days a week. She goes to the fitness center at 5:00 p.m. with only rare exceptions.
Penny acknowledged that she gets bored with her training routine from time to time and consults with a trainer once a month “to keep it interesting. He designs routines to maximize weight training. He is simple and straightforward. He shows me what the training is going to do for my body and recognizes my time limitations. He understands what my goals are and where I’m at.”
Friendly and Familiar the FSFJ Way
Bernice, at age 82, is a familiar and comforting fixture in the tidy neighborhood where she has lived for forty-seven years. This mother of five and grandmother of ten has been walking up and down her block since she moved into the neighborhood almost a half century ago. She knows the neighbors and they know her. She enjoys the friendly waves and familiar environment on her one-mile walk. She walks year round, even in freezing weather.
In addition to her walk in the neighborhood, Bernice goes to a nearby fitness center three days a week. A daughter and former fitness trainer got her started at the center fifteen years ago and she has been going ever since.
“It takes me 45 minutes. I walk on the treadmill for one mile then lift weights. I like it there because the people are friendly. They keep an eye on me. If I’m not doing something right, Bruce he4>s me. They call me Grandma. It’s a very friendly place.”
Closing
Since extraverted sensing and introverted sensing perceive information and data through their senses, this is reflected in their preference for exercise patterns. They differ, however, in focus. Extraverted sensing focuses and merges with the moment while introverted sensing matches the sensory input with their previous experience. Nonetheless, they do share a generally greater awareness of their surroundings and body than those whose perceiving process is intuition. The next article will explore extraverted and introverted intuition and physical exercise.