Association between self-reported empathy and level of physical activity in healthy young adults

Shima, Takeru; Jesmin, Subrina; Nakao, Hayato; Kojima, Tai; Shimofure, Tomonori; Arai, Yoshihiro; Kiyama, Keiko; Onizawa, Yoko

doi:10.7600/jpfsm.10.45

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Previous studies have reported a positive relationship between cognitive empathy and physical activity; 2,3 it was expected that active behavior contributes to increasing cognitive empathy. There were substantial differences between the active and inactive groups (Figure 1A); however, no association was found over the monitoring period of 3 months (Figure 1A).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…We have recently found that physical activity and sports experience may be associated with maintaining empathy in young adults. 2,3 During the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of physical activity has decreased; 4 and human empathy could be impaired. However, any association between the amount of physical activity and changes in empathy during this time remains undocumented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Small Amounts of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic May Contribute to Improve Empathy in Young Adults: An Observational Study

Shima

Jesmin

Nakao

et al. 2021

Asia Pac J Public Health

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Decreases of direct face-to-face contact during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic would impair human empathy, an essential skill for maintaining relationships with others. Although physical activity amount relates to empathy, it remains unclear the effects of physical activity on empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four hundred and twenty-six college students’ usual amounts of physical activity and sitting time were measured through monitoring from October to December 2020 with the questionnaire, and subjects were divided into active and inactive groups. Before and after monitoring, cognitive and affective empathy in subjects was evaluated with the questionnaire. Both cognitive and affective empathy scores were unchanged during monitoring in subjects. However, affective empathy’s change rate in the inactive group was higher than that in the active group. Furthermore, affective empathy’s change rate was negatively correlated with sitting time in inactive group subjects, implying that staying at home with a few amounts of physical activity would contribute to treating empathy in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small Amounts of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic May Contribute to Improve Empathy in Young Adults: An Observational Study

Shima

Jesmin

Nakao

et al. 2021

Asia Pac J Public Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In our study, the association between more sports activities and both higher altruism and higher empathy may, for example, be explained by performing team sports activities which has been shown to be associated with higher empathy [ 27 ]. However, it has also been shown that individual sport is associated with higher empathy (compared to no sports activities) [ 27 ]. Thus, it is assumed that the amount of sports can assist in increasing our outcomes [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it has also been shown that individual sport is associated with higher empathy (compared to no sports activities) [ 27 ]. Thus, it is assumed that the amount of sports can assist in increasing our outcomes [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Level and correlates of empathy and altruism during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany

Hajek

König

2022

PLoS ONE

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Aim Our purpose was to clarify the level and correlates of empathy and altruism in the German population during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods A nationally representative survey (n = 3,075) was conducted in August/September 2021. To measure empathy, a short scale based on the Interpersonality Reactivity Index (IRI; German version: Saarbrucken personality questionnaire, SPF) was used (SPF-K). Based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP; IPIP-5F30F-R1), the subscale altruism was used to quantify altruism. Results The average altruism score was 3.3 (SD: 0.7), ranging from 1 to 5. Moreover, the average empathy score was 13.1 (SD: 2.8), ranging from 4 to 20. The level of empathy significantly differed between the subgroups. For example, high levels of empathy were identified among women (average: 13.7, SD: 2.7), individuals with children (average: 13.5, SD: 2.8), and individuals with migration background (average: 13.6, SD: 2.8). Effect sizes were mostly small. Similar differences (in terms of effect size) were identified between these groups regarding altruism. Additionally, regressions showed that higher levels of both empathy and altruism were associated with being female, younger age, having children, sports activities and having at least one chronic disease. Moreover, vaccination against Covid-19 was only associated with higher altruism, but not with higher empathy. Conclusion Our study emphasized the moderately high level of empathy and altruism in Germany during times of the pandemic. Identifying the correlates of these factors may help to address individuals with very low levels of these factors.

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“…We have already found that usual physical activity levels and sports activities could increase empathy in young adults. 2-4 Since that, physical activity would have the potential to enhance human empathy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influences of Changes in Physical Activity Levels With Easing Restriction of Access to the University Campus on Empathy and Social Supports in College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shima

Nakao

Kojima

et al. 2022

Asia Pac J Public Health

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College students in Japan are restricted from accessing the campus associated with promoting online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic; it would lead to less physical activity and poor relationships with others. Here, we measured 887 college students’ amounts of physical activity, sitting time, self-reported cognitive and affective empathy, and perceived social support before and after easing campus entrance restrictions. The amounts of total activity, vigorous-intensity, and moderate-intensity activity in college students, both male and female, increased after easing restrictions of accessing the campus compared during restrictions. The amounts of walking activity were unchanged. Self-reported cognitive empathy scores significantly increased in female students after mitigating restrictions, but not in males. Furthermore, the total of physical activity’s change amounts was positively correlated with the changes in the scores of affective empathy and perceived family support. In addition, the changes in the score of affective empathy were positively correlated with perceived social help from family, friends, and close people. The current findings imply that increasing physical activity levels after easing restriction of access to the campus would lead to a better quality of life in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Association between self-reported empathy and level of physical activity in healthy young adults

Cited by 20 publications

References 22 publications

Small Amounts of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic May Contribute to Improve Empathy in Young Adults: An Observational Study

Small Amounts of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic May Contribute to Improve Empathy in Young Adults: An Observational Study

Level and correlates of empathy and altruism during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany

The Influences of Changes in Physical Activity Levels With Easing Restriction of Access to the University Campus on Empathy and Social Supports in College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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