Physical Fitness, Exercise Behaviors, and Sense of Self-Efficacy Among College Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Shan-Shan Han; Bo Li; Guang-Xu Wang; You-Zhi Ke; Shu-Qiao Meng; Ya-Xing Li; Zhong-Lei Cui; Wen-Xia Tong

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.932014

Physical Fitness, Exercise Behaviors, and Sense of Self-Efficacy Among College Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 15:13:932014. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.932014. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Shan-Shan Han¹, Bo Li^{1

2}, Guang-Xu Wang^{2

3}, You-Zhi Ke², Shu-Qiao Meng⁴, Ya-Xing Li⁵, Zhong-Lei Cui⁶, Wen-Xia Tong⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Sports Science, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
² School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
³ College of Physical Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China.
⁴ Physical Education College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
⁵ Physical Education College, Shangqiu University, Shangqiu, China.
⁶ Physical Education College, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, China.

Abstract

Background: Self-efficacy is an important component of the mental well-being of college students. This study aimed to evaluate the development and the correlation between physical fitness (PF), exercise behavior, and self-efficacy in college students. To examine whether PF in individual college students can predict self-efficacy, and whether exercise behavior mediates this relationship.

Methods: This was an observational study of 1923 randomly selected college students (50.5% girl). Measures included the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, and PF testing.

Results: Self-efficacy was weakly correlated to both PF (r = 0.240) and exercise behavior (r = 0.248). In regression analysis, PF explained 24.7% of the variance in self-efficacy, increasing to 29.4% when exercise behavior was considered. Therefore, the predictive effect of PF on self-efficacy is partially realized through healthy exercise behavior.

Conclusion: Physical fitness can predict self-efficacy among college students, with exercise behavior being an important mediation of this relationship. Strategies to improve positive exercise behaviors and PF could improve students' self-efficacy and overall mental health.

Keywords: college students; exercise behavior; mediation effect; physical fitness; self-efficacy.