This study conducted an empirical analysis focusing on the relationships among participation motivation in general physical education classes, exercise self-efficacy, and class satisfaction among Chinese college students. The purpose was to identify t...
This study conducted an empirical analysis focusing on the relationships among participation motivation in general physical education classes, exercise self-efficacy, and class satisfaction among Chinese college students. The purpose was to identify the patterns of differences in these three variables across different demographic characteristics and to clarify their underlying mechanisms, thereby providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for optimizing the teaching of general physical education classes in universities and improving college students’ physical education learning experiences and the educational effectiveness of such classes. The participants were students enrolled at Nanchong Vocational and Technical University in Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, China. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, and a total of 739 valid samples were obtained. For data analysis, SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 27.0 were employed. Reliability and validity tests of the scales were first conducted, and descriptive statistical analysis was used to identify the demographic characteristics of the sample. Independent-samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were then conducted to examine differences in participation motivation in general physical education classes, exercise self-efficacy, and class satisfaction across different demographic variables. On this basis, regression analysis and structural equation modeling were performed to further explore the relationships among the three variables and their underlying mechanisms.
The findings are as follows. First, in terms of difference characteristics, gender, major, and type of general physical education course did not have significant effects on participation motivation in general physical education classes, exercise self-efficacy, or class satisfaction. In contrast, age, grade level, and weekly exercise frequency had significant effects on all three variables, and overall, these variables showed a gradual upward trend with increasing age, higher grade level, and greater exercise frequency. Second, in terms of the relationships among variables, statistically significant positive associations were found between participation motivation in general physical education classes and exercise self-efficacy, between participation motivation in general physical education classes and class satisfaction, and between exercise self-efficacy and class satisfaction. Third, in terms of the mediating effect, exercise self-efficacy was found to play a partial mediating role between participation motivation in general physical education classes and class satisfaction. In other words, participation motivation in general physical education classes was directly associated with class satisfaction and was also indirectly linked to class satisfaction through exercise self-efficacy.
These findings indicate that significant structural relationships exist among participation motivation in general physical education classes, exercise self-efficacy, and class satisfaction among Chinese college students. Participation motivation can be understood as an important psychological antecedent related to class satisfaction, and exercise self-efficacy was confirmed to function as an important psychological mechanism linking participation motivation and class satisfaction. In addition, the psychology of physical education learning among college students was found to exhibit both a certain degree of stability and clear developmental and behavior-dependent characteristics. Based on these findings, the operation of general physical education classes in universities needs to be promoted comprehensively, with a focus on fostering participation motivation, enhancing exercise self-efficacy, implementing differentiated instruction, encouraging regular exercise participation, and optimizing the class system and operation. Through these efforts, the teaching quality and educational effectiveness of general physical education classes can be continuously improved.