The Influence of Level of Involvement in Physical Activity on Mental Resilient and Cognitive Function Among Uitm Puncak Alam’s Student

Regular physical activity benefits physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. This study evaluated the relationship between physical activity involvement, mental resilience, and cognitive function among university students at UiTM Puncak Alam, Malaysia. A quantitative, exploratory approach was employed using a stratified random sample of 280 students. Data were collected via online surveys, incorporating the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Brief Resilience Scale, and an executive function assessment. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and regression analysis, were conducted to explore the relationships between variables. The demographic analysis revealed a majority of participants aged 18-24 (75.4%), with most living in rural areas (36.1%). While no significant relationship was found between physical activity and mental resilience (r = .110, p = .067), a weak but significant positive correlation was identified between physical activity and cognitive function (r = .149, p = .013). Regression analysis showed that physical activity explained 2.2% of the variance in cognitive function but only 1.2% in mental resilience. The findings suggest that physical activity involvement significantly enhances cognitive function, including attention, memory, and decision-making skills. However, mental resilience may be more influenced by socioeconomic factors and environmental stressors than by physical activity alone. Physical activity positively impacts cognitive function but does not significantly predict mental resilience among UiTM Puncak Alam students. Future studies should explore these relationships in diverse populations and consider additional factors influencing mental resilience.