Research progress on the impact of peer support on physical activity among college students

As the physical activity level of college students is increasingly recognized as an important factor affecting their health, peer support, as a unique and effective form of social support, has received widespread attention and discussion on its role in promoting active participation in physical exercise among college students. Research has shown that peer support not only significantly enhances college students' motivation to participate and motivates them to engage in various physical activities but also effectively strengthens their persistence in these activities, ultimately promoting the improvement of their physical health and psychological state. However, despite extensive research exploring the positive effects of peer support, there is still a lack of understanding of its specific mechanisms and the effectiveness of different types of support. This article aims to organize and analyze relevant literature in recent years systematically, deeply explore the multiple impacts of peer support on college students' sports activities, analyze in detail the specific mechanisms that promote physical exercise, and provide a comprehensive comparison of the effects of different types of support. Through these studies, this article hopes to provide a solid theoretical basis for sports and health promotion in universities, and propose practical and feasible application suggestions to promote the healthy behavior of college students better.