From Movement to Emotion: Exploring How Motor Fitness Relates to Emotional Intelligence in Preschoolers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17501097Keywords:
motor fitness; preschool; emotional intelligence; agility; muscular endurance.Abstract
Objective: To test multivariate links between motor fitness and emotional intelligence (EI) in preschoolers. Methods:Fifty-nine children (49–78 months) completed curl-ups, sit-and-reach, shuttle run, and anthropometry; parents rated EI (Perception/Expression, Understanding/Evaluation, Management/Regulation). We conducted correlations and two canonical correlation analyses (CCAs): one between anthropometrics and EI, and another between motor fitness and EI. Results: Bivariate tests showed better curl-ups related to higher EI and faster shuttle-run to better regulation. CCA for anthropometrics × EI was nonsignificant. The motor fitness×EI CCA yielded one significant function (Rc = .561, p = .005; redundancy ≈ 12% EI by motor), defined by curl-ups and shuttle-run on the motor side and regulation and perception/expression on the EI side. Conclusion: Specific motor abilities—core endurance and agility—show modest, multivariate associations with EI in preschoolers; adiposity markers do not. Findings support the use of play-based activities paired with explicit emotion-skills coaching in early education.
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