Impact of body image on women’s fitness persistence: the chain mediation role of self-efficacy and exercise motivation

Background: Body image, as a crucial cognitive-emotional factor in women's fitness behavior, has garnered attention for its multifaceted influence on exercise persistence. However, the chain mediation it consconsently that involving self-efficacy and exercise motivation has not been fully elucidated. Objective: This study aims to explore the pathways through which body image is associated with women's fitness persistence, and to examine the individual and chain mediation effects of self-efficacy and exercise motivation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 721 women aged 18 to 38 from Shandong Province. The instruments used included the Body Image State Scale, Exercise Persistence Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Exercise Motivation Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS 4.0, with correlation analysis, regression analysis, and bootstrap mediation effect testing. Results: = 46.7%), underscoring its pivotal role in sustaining behavior. Conclusion: Body image is related to long-term fitness persistence among women by enhancing self-efficacy and exercise motivation, particularly via their chain mediation mechanism. These findings provide theoretical support for intervention strategies centered on cognitive restructuring and motivational enhancement.