Relationship between empathy in adolescents with different types of physical activity practiced

This study analyses the relationship between empathy in adolescents and the practice of different types of physical activity. A total of 727 subjects from two public schools, aged between 12 and 19 years, participated in the study. To assess cognitive and affective empathy, the HIFDS self-report was used and questions from the PAQ-A questionnaire were adapted to obtain data associated with the level and type of physical activity practised. Not only was a statistical analysis and comparison between groups carried out according to gender and physical activity practice, but also, among subgroups according to the physical activity practised. Female students reported higher levels of affective and cognitive empathy than their male peers. Students who practice artistic physical activities show greater affective and cognitive empathy in comparison with other activities. Likewise, people who practice physical activities show higher values in both empathies compared to "non-practising" people. In short, adolescents who participate in organised physical activities show greater empathy than their peers who practise free physical activities or do not practise any physical activity, with those of an artistic nature favouring the development of empathy in both dimensions. Furthermore, higher levels of affective and cognitive empathy are observed in female students than in their male peers.