Impact of sport on social cognition: an analysis based on structural equational models.

Social factors are positively associated with social cognitions related to physical activity. Participation in physical activity is associated with positive health outcomes, and the intentional exercise required in sport improves mental health. This research presents a structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate the variables that most influence social cognition; empathy and compassion. Was used a representative sample of 50 soccer players from a sports club of Medellin, Colombia. The sample was selected taking into account a 5% margin of error and a 90% confidence level, the population size was 57 soccer players. The results of the Kaiser-Meyer- Olkin (KMO) sphericity test and the Bartlett's test indicated that the factor analysis is adequate, all constructions are statistically significant. Goodness-of-fit tests indicate that the model fits well with the data. This paper concludes that, of all the constructs considered: interaction with authority figures, interaction with the opposite sex, being in evidence, affirmative expression of discontent, interaction with strangers and acting in public, the construct that most influences the latent variable "empathy" is the interaction with the opposite sex. The construct that most influences the latent variable "sympathy" is the affirmative expression of discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]