# Values, motivation, and physical activity among Chinese sport sciences students

## TL;DR

This study explores how values and motivation together influence physical activity among Chinese sports science students.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel approach by examining the interaction between values and motivation in predicting physical activity.

## Key findings

- Openness to change and self-transcendence values indirectly predict physical activity through autonomous motivation.
- Values and motivation together provide a better understanding of physical activity behavior.
- The study highlights the role of psychological constructs in influencing physical activity.

## Abstract

Different studies have shown that values and motivation predict physical activity, but no study has tested how values and motivation may interact to predict physical activity. Specifically, the present research aimed to test how values and motivation toward physical activity measured within the SDT could predict global physical activity among Chinese sports science students. The indirect effects of openness to change and self-transcendence values on predicting physical activity through autonomous motivation were significant. These results help us understand how highly abstract psychological constructs such as values may influence physical activity through motivation. Studying values combined with motivation may help better understand the factors that motivate or inhibit physical activity.