The association between physical activity and emotional intelligence: A cross sectional study from Quest International University, Perak

Bedanta Roy; Shantha Kumar Chandrasekaran; Sara Manzoor; Sasnitha A/P   Ramesh; Chow Wai Quan; Godella Pathirage  Deshan Bhagya Pathirana; Kirige Don Susan Shenes Jayasekara

doi:10.5281/zenodo.5201504

Bedanta Roy Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2750-4949
Shantha Kumar Chandrasekaran Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0730-1813
Sara Manzoor Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4257-1958
Sasnitha A/P Ramesh Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1064-2632
Chow Wai Quan Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5545-8639
Godella Pathirage Deshan Bhagya Pathirana Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7982-4584
Kirige Don Susan Shenes Jayasekara Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8946-4191

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5201504

Keywords: Emotional intelligence, gender, mood, physical activity, undergraduate students

Abstract

Introduction:

Physical activity (PA) is an indifferent part of physical, mental and social wellness. Emotional intelligence (EA) is closely associated with appraising, perceiving, expressing, and understanding emotions, emotional knowledge that promotes emotional and intellectual growth. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PA and EI among undergraduate students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 149 students using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for PA levels, Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-30) for EI measurement and a sociodemographic questionnaire for the potential moderating influence of gender, linked to the relationships between EI and PA.

Results:

Participants showed an average EI of 101.97 ± 13.26. Mood repair was significantly associated with PA with a spearman’s rho of 0.172 (Weak positive association), and overall EI is also significantly associated with PA (Weak positive association). Women scored significantly higher in the attention to feelings (ATF) component of EI as compared to men.

Conclusion:

Students who performed PA had higher levels of overall EI as well as mood repair. The relationship found is relatively small, and PA’s predictive power regarding mood repair (MR) and overall EI were feeble. Men performed higher PA levels whereas women more frequently performed PA although at lower levels compared to men.

Author Biographies

Bedanta Roy, Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine

Shantha Kumar Chandrasekaran, Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Sara Manzoor, Quest International University (QIU), No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia