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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Exploring the association between physical activity and life satisfaction among college students
Liwei Zhang1,2, Ruitao Li3, Jiabin Zhu4
1School of Physical Education, Liaoning Petrochemical University, Fushun, 113006, Liaoning, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Regular physical activity boosts college students
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Promotion
- Student Well-being
Background:
- Physical activity is linked to improved mental health in college students.
- The specific psychological mechanisms connecting physical activity to life satisfaction are not fully understood.
- The Stress-Coping Model provides a framework for exploring these relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating roles of psychological capital and perceived stress in the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction among college students.
- To examine both independent and chain mediation pathways.
- To elucidate the psychological mechanisms underlying the benefits of physical activity for student well-being.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 921 college students.
- Utilized standardized scales to measure physical activity, psychological capital, perceived stress, and life satisfaction.
- Employed statistical analysis to validate a chain mediation model.
Main Results:
- Physical activity was found to be a significant positive predictor of life satisfaction.
- Psychological capital and perceived stress acted as both independent and sequential mediators.
- The study identified specific psychological pathways through which physical activity influences life satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity enhances college students' life satisfaction through psychological capital and by mitigating perceived stress.
- Universities can leverage physical activity programs and psychological interventions to improve student well-being.
- Understanding these mediating mechanisms offers targeted strategies for enhancing student life satisfaction.
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