The Effect of Physical Activity on Life Satisfaction in University Students: The Mediation of Loneliness

Objective: To explore the relationship between loneliness and the life satisfaction of college students in the context of physical exercise. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 600 college students on campus, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Process 4.0. Results: 1) The loneliness and life satisfaction of college students were significantly correlated at different levels of physical exercise. 2) Physical exercise had a significant positive effect on the life satisfaction of college students (β = 0.61, p < 0.01); physical exercise could influence the life satisfaction of college students through the indirect path of loneliness, with an indirect effect path value of 0.1 (physical exercise → loneliness → life satisfaction), accounting for 26.32% of the total effect. Conclusion: Physical exercise has a direct impact on the life satisfaction of college students and can also indirectly affect it through loneliness.