Effect of Aerobic Rhythmic Exercises with and without Music on Emotional Intelligence and Motor Proficiency in Preadolescent Males

Objective: This study investigated the effect of aerobic rhythmic exercises with and without music on emotional intelligence (EI) and motor proficiency (MP).
Method: Participants were 45 boys (M_age = 11.8 ±1.34) who volunteered for the study while attending summer programs. EI was accessed with the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Scale, and MP was evaluated by the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test for Motor Proficiency– 2. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: control (G1), aerobic exercise with (G2), and without music (G3). Experimental groups trained completed an eight-week program, three sessions per week, while the control group performed their normal activity. Analysis of covariance was used to compare post-testing outcomes among the groups.
Results: Changes in EI in G2 group were significantly higher compared to the G1 group (P=0.01), but there were no significant differences between G1 and G3 (P=0.19) and between G2 and G3 (P=0.21). In MP G2 was better than G1 (P=0.00), and G3 (P=0.02), and also G3 was better than G1 (P=0.00).
Conclusion: The results of this study show that combining aerobics with music can be effective in improving both EI and MP, which can be used to strengthen motor skills and intelligence in schools and clubs.