Overview

• A UCL-led trial assigned 132 adults to an eight-week cycling and strength program or a control group, with 86 completing both pre- and post-testing.
• Extroverted participants reported the greatest enjoyment in high-intensity group workouts, while those scoring high in neuroticism preferred private, light-intensity sessions punctuated by short breaks.
• Participants high in neuroticism experienced the largest reductions in self-reported stress after the eight-week intervention.
• Conscientious individuals maintained well-rounded fitness and were motivated primarily by the health benefits of exercise rather than enjoyment.
• Since its July 7 publication in Frontiers in Psychology, the study has featured in major media outlets, prompting healthcare experts to advocate for personality-tailored exercise prescriptions to combat low global activity levels.