Analyzing the effect of physical activity on sleep quality in college students using the chain mediation model

Sleep quality represents a pressing issue that currently confronts college students in China, garnering significant attention from researchers in the field. The present study employed a questionnaire survey method to investigate and analyze 704 college students using the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale, Stress Perception Scale, and ruminative thinking Scale. The objective of this investigation was to examine the chain mediating effect of stress perception and ruminative thinking in college student groups and to elucidate the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality. (1) Physical activity, stress perception, and ruminative thinking are bivocally associated with sleep quality in college students. (2) Physical activity negatively predicted stress perception and negatively predicted ruminative thinking and sleep quality among college students; stress perception positively predicted ruminative thinking and sleep quality; and ruminative thinking positively predicted sleep quality. Stress perception and ruminative thinking individually mediate, and stress perception and ruminative thinking chain mediate, the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality in college students.