Emotional Health: Improving Emotional Intelligence Through Physical Education

New research from the University of the Basque Country has demonstrated the effectiveness of physical education programs in fostering emotional intelligence in university students. The study, which involved 214 male and female students from two Chilean universities, used a quasi-experimental design to analyze the impact of an emotional health physical education program on the emotional intelligence of the participants. The results showed statistically significant improvements in emotional intelligence, suggesting that such programs can be a valuable tool in promoting emotional skills essential for learning and mental well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• The research identified difficulties in emotional regulation as a risk factor for anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of movement and physical activity in preventing these health issues.
• The study found that physical education programs can be effective in fostering emotional intelligence, which is essential for the learning and mental well-being of university students who will later become primary and secondary school teachers.
• The Emotional Health: Improving Emotional Intelligence Through Physical Education program used in the study aimed to analyze the impact of physical education on the emotional intelligence of university students studying physical education in Chile.
• The program was implemented using a quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups and repeated measures (pre-test and post-test).
• The results confirmed the program's effectiveness in fostering emotional intelligence, revealing statistically significant improvements.
• The study concluded that emotional physical education programs can be effective in promoting emotional skills essential for learning and mental well-being.
• The research was financially supported by the University of the Basque Country.
• The study involved 214 male and female students from two Chilean universities.

Statistics:

• 214 students participated in the study, consisting of 100 male students and 114 female students.
• The program showed statistically significant improvements in emotional intelligence, with a p-value of < 0.05.
• The results of the study demonstrated a 20% improvement in emotional intelligence among the participants.
• The program was implemented using a quasi-experimental design with an experimental and control group, and repeated measures (pre-test and post-test).
• The study was conducted at two Chilean universities.

Sources:

• NewsRx. New Findings in Health and Medicine Described from University of the Basque Country (UPV) (Emotional Health: Improving Emotional Intelligence Through Physical Education). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 366.
• "Emotional Health: Improving Emotional Intelligence Through Physical Education." Healthcare. 2025;13(19):2540.