The influence of peer support on college students’ physical exercise: the mediator of control beliefs and subjective experience, and the moderator of intrinsic value

College students' physical exercise levels remain suboptimal despite its well-documented health benefits. Peer support, as a key form of social influence, has been shown to facilitate health behaviors, yet the underlying psychological mechanisms-particularly the roles of control beliefs and subjective exercise experience-remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study involved 1,510 college students to investigate how peer support influences physical exercise through these psychological pathways, with intrinsic value examined as a potential moderator. The research employed multiple measurement tools, including scales assessing peer support, control beliefs, subjective exercise experience, intrinsic value, and physical exercise. Key outcomes showed that: (1) Peer support is directly associated with increased physical exercise, while also working through three indirect pathways: via its positive associations with students' sense of control beliefs and subjective exercise experience, and through a combined effect of both control beliefs and subjective exercise experience. (2) Intrinsic value moderates (i.e., strengthens) the association between control beliefs and subjective exercise experience, as well as the relationships of both control beliefs and subjective exercise experience with physical exercise. These insights advance our understanding of social influences on student fitness behaviors and provide actionable suggestions for universities aiming to increase student engagement in physical activities.