This study applies the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and self-determination theory (SDT) to predict the sports participation and exercise intentions of college students in Central China by considering the mediating roles of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze self-reported data from 294 college students (144 males and 150 females). The relationship between the research variables was tested by the mediation model and Bootstrap 5000 sampling using AMOS version 24. The results show that the direct effects of attitudes and perceived behavioral control on motor intention and motor participation are significant in the model. The satisfaction of the three psychological needs had a positive indirect effect on motor participation through attitudes; competence and autonomy had a positive indirect effect on motor participation mediated through subjective norms; however, only competence had a positive indirect effect on motor mediated through perceived behavioral control. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the importance of meeting these three basic psychological needs when designing intervention measures to promote college students' sports participation.
Keywords: Central China college students; autonomy; competence; relatedness; theory of planned behavior.