You may have an idea in your head of what a typical gym hardo is like.
Probably overtly aggressive and maybe even a little psychotic about working out.
Whatever you may think, however, there is one thing that science has proven to be absolute fact: People considered more physically fit are less likely to engage in "deviant behavior" than your average person.
Through his research, Kenneth Tai, an associate professor in the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at Singapore Management University, found that cities and metropolitan areas with higher levels of physical fitness tended to have lower crime rates.
Further, an examination of 3,925 military recruits undergoing basic military training found that those recruits who scored higher on physical fitness tests were less likely to engage in deviant behaviors, which included but was not limited to lying, faking to avoid tasks, taking shortcuts, disrespecting others, getting others into trouble, and taking credit for the work of others.
As for why this is, Tai points to a very specific attribute.
He told PsyPost, "The takeaway is that physically fit people are less likely to engage in deviance. In addition, our findings suggest that people who increase their physical fitness over time through physical activities are likely to develop greater self-control, which helps them override their impulses to engage in deviant behaviors."
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