Exploring the Interplay Between Self-Efficacy, Digital Health Literacy, and Smart Device Usage in College Students' Physical Exercise Participation: A Chain Mediation Analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-efficacy, digital health literacy, intention to use smart devices and physical activity participation behaviour, and to test the chain mediating effect of digital health literacy and intention to use smart devices between self-efficacy and physical activity participation behaviour. Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data and the sample included university students from different years, genders and educational backgrounds. The questionnaire included measures of self-efficacy, digital health literacy, intention to use smart devices, and physical activity participation behaviours. Path analyses and mediation effect tests were conducted using structural equation modelling to test the 11 proposed hypotheses. Results:The results showed that self-efficacy had a significant positive effect on digital health literacy, intention to use smart devices and physical activity participation behaviour. Digital health literacy and intention to use smart devices as mediating variables played an important mediating role between self-efficacy and physical activity participation behaviour. Furthermore, there was a significant chain mediation effect of digital health literacy and willingness to use smart devices between self-efficacy and physical activity participation behaviour. Conclusion: Self-efficacy, digital health literacy and willingness to use smart devices play an important role in promoting physical activity behaviour. By improving individual self-efficacy, strengthening digital health education and promoting the popularity and effective use of smart devices, the public's willingness to engage in physical activity and physical activity behaviour can be significantly improved. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted health promotion strategies that can help to promote health behaviour change and improve the health and quality of life of college students.