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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

1-14-2026

Abstract

Physical activity is essential for young adults, offering physical, psychological, aesthetic, and social benefits, such as reduced chronic disease risks, improved mental health, and overall wellbeing. Despite WHO recommendations (60 minutes daily for adolescents, 150 minutes weekly for adults), many college students fall short due to low intrinsic motivation, body image concerns, social anxiety, and lack of enjoyment. This study examines college students' motivations for physical activity and their relationships with gender, activity levels, and satisfaction. It also explores how motivation mediates the influence of gender on activity levels and satisfaction. Method: Exploratory analyses and bivariate analyses (Pearson’s correlations and t-test) were calculated using IBM’s SPSS software (v.26). Effect size in mean differences was estimated using Cohen’s d. This study surveyed 1,099 university students (mean age 20.4, SD 1.5) in Zhengzhou, with 56.7% females and 43.3% males. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through the BREQ-2 questionnaire, assessing four motivation dimensions—intrinsic, identified, introjected, and external—alongside weekly physical activity duration and satisfaction. The BREQ-2 scale measurement model showed a good fit (SRMR = 0.034, RMSEA = 0.078, CFI = 0.969, NFI = 0.958). Intrinsic motivation had the strongest variance with other motivations, followed by identified and introjected regulation, while external regulation showed weaker correlations and a negative link with intrinsic motivation. Higher levels of intrinsic, identified, and introjected regulation correlated with more physical activity and greater satisfaction, while external regulation was unrelated to activity time and negatively linked to satisfaction. Males demonstrated higher intrinsic and external regulation levels and engaged in 2.45 more weekly activity hours than females, though satisfaction levels were similar. Mediation analysis revealed that intrinsic regulation significantly mediates gender’s impact on both physical activity volume and satisfaction. This study identifies significant gender differences in physical activity and motivation, with males showing higher intrinsic and external regulation motivation and greater activity levels. Intrinsic regulation mediates the relationship between gender, activity volume, and satisfaction. Key limitations include the cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inferences, and the use of the brief BREQ-2 scale, suggesting future research should adopt longitudinal designs and more comprehensive tools for assessing motivation. Practically, universities can use these findings to design targeted interventions to boost intrinsic motivation among female students and enhance activity participation. Providing more resources and opportunities for physical activity can further support student health and well-being.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.1.22.boisestate

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