The influence of interpersonal relationships on college students’ physical activity: chain-mediated effects of social support and exercise motivation

This study underscores the importance of interpersonal relationships, social support, and exercise motivation in shaping physical activity among university students, with particular emphasis on the interconnected mediation pathways among these factors. The results offer a theoretical basis for developing targeted physical activity interventions, highlighting the need to address these elements collectively rather than in isolation. Future studies are encouraged to explore how these relationships hold across diverse populations and cultural settings and to use longitudinal methods to establish causal links better.