Emotional Intelligence Levels of Adult Hellenic Traditional Dancers and Group Exercisers

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the Emotional Intelligence (EI) differences among people who participate in different forms of Physical Activity (PA). Strict selection criteria were applied to maximize the effort of avoiding other effects than the type of (PA). The participants (n=299) were divided in two groups a) 25-34 years old (young adults, n=150) and b) >60 years old (older adults, n=149) and in three subgroups: a) Hellenic Traditional Dancers (HTDs), b) Pilates/Yoga/whole body exercisers and c) sedentary lifestyle. The Greek EI scale was used to assess self-report EI and the Leisure Time Physical Activity scale to assess participants’ PA. We found that younger participants displayed higher scores in “express and recognition of emotions” than older
participants (p<.001), while HTDs scored higher in EI than the other two groups. This evidence designates that HTD is a form of PA that is positively connected with adults’ empathy and mental health.