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

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