Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) can be a mechanism that develops emotions. Emotional intelligence (EI) is related to significant public health and psychological benefits. However, there is little information about the relationships between PA and EI dimensions: emotional attention, clarity, and repair. This study examined the possible relationships between these variables in undergraduate students from Madrid. As a secondary aim, sex differences in PA domains and EI dimensions were examined.MethodsA total of 2960 (21.34 ± 4.34 years) undergraduate students from Madrid (Spain) fulfilled the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). We used a MANOVA to compare EI and PA levels according to sex. Different linear regressions were conducted to calculate the PA and age prediction power based on EI.ResultsWe found a significant association between EI dimensions and PA levels, although these relationships were small. Fully adjusted linear regression showed that sex and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were associated of emotional attention (r2c = .025). Sex, age, and LTPA were associated of emotional repair (r2c = .024). There were statistically significant differences in EI by sex (p ≤ .001; η2p = .039), with higher scores in emotional attention for women (p ≤ .001) and emotional clarity (p ≤ .001) and repair (p ≤ .001) for men. PA levels differed according to sex (p ≤ .001; η2p = .038). Men show higher scores in LTPA levels (p = .002) and occupational PA (p ≤ .001).ConclusionsUndergraduate students with higher levels of LTPA showed a better score on EI, specifically in emotional attention and emotional repair. However, these associations and the predictive power of LTPA regarding emotional attention and emotional repair were weak. Men engaged in more LTPA and occupational PA and had higher emotional clarity and emotional repair than women. However, women had higher emotional attention.
Highlights
IntroductionEmotional intelligence (EI) is related to significant public health and psychological benefits
Physical activity (PA) can be a mechanism that develops emotions
The primary objective of this paper was to analyse the associations between the specific PA domains [occupational physical activity (OPA), commuting physical activity (CPA), and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA)], and the different dimensions of Emotional intelligence (EI)
Summary
Emotional intelligence (EI) is related to significant public health and psychological benefits. This study examined the possible relationships between these variables in undergraduate students from Madrid. In the specific case of mental health, previous studies have found that individuals who are engaged in PA demonstrate better psychological wellness and suffer less stress and depression. These findings involved teenagers [12, 13], undergraduate students [14, 15] and the elderly [16, 17].
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