# The relationship between mandatory exercise and exercise habits in Chinese colleges and universities: an analysis of multiple mediating effects

## TL;DR

This study examines how mandatory exercise in Chinese colleges influences students' exercise habits and the role of self-efficacy and attitudes in this relationship.

## Contribution

The study identifies multiple mediating effects of self-efficacy and exercise attitudes in the relationship between mandatory exercise and exercise habits.

## Key findings

- Mandatory exercise significantly promotes the formation of exercise habits in students.
- Self-efficacy and exercise attitudes mediate the relationship between mandatory exercise and exercise habits.
- The direct effect of mandatory exercise is the most significant, followed by the chain mediating effect.

## Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between mandatory exercise and exercise habits in colleges and universities and to investigate the multiple mediating effects of self-efficacy and exercise attitudes. The study adopted convenience sampling, with 589 junior students as the research subjects, and conducted a questionnaire survey using professional scales. The results show that mandatory exercise in colleges and universities has a significant positive effect on the formation of exercise habits. Self-efficacy and exercise attitudes play a significant mediating role and chain mediating effect between mandatory exercise and exercise habits, with the direct effect being the most significant, followed by the chaining effect, the mediating effect of self-efficacy, and the mediating effect of exercise attitudes. This study further reveals the internal mechanism underlying the relationship between mandatory exercise and exercise habits, which is highly important for promoting the development of “exercise habits,” i.e., the overall development of college and university students.