Comparison of the ability to regulate emotions and executive functions in active and inactive students

The stressful conditions of today's life make it difficult for people to regulate their emotions, which can cause many psychological problems and disorders in individual behavior and functions, but choosing an active lifestyle can be effective in managing and preventing emotional disturbances and improving a person's control over emotions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the difference in executive functions and the ability to regulate emotions in people with active and inactive lifestyles, considering gender differences. The present study was of a causal-comparative type and the participants were selected purposefully from among the students of Payam Noor University of Tabriz, 80 people in two active (20 girls, 20 boys) and inactive (20 girls, 20 boys) groups. Active and inactive people were identified using Sharkey's physical activity questionnaire, emotional regulation ability and executive functions were evaluated using Gross and John (2003) emotional regulation scales, Flanker tests and Wisconsin cards, respectively. The results of analysis of variance with two-factor measurement showed that there is a significant difference between the executive functions and emotional regulation ability of active and inactive students (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the performance of boys and girls. According to the results, physical and sports exercises are suggested as one of the solutions and strategies for emotional regulation and development of executive functions for the general public.