The impact of smart sports services on residents’ sports participation: the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and perceived usefulness

Objective: This study aims to explore how smart sports services influence residents' sustained sports participation, with a focus on the mediating roles of perceived usefulness and exercise self-efficacy. Methods: Drawing on social cognitive theory and the technology acceptance model, this study constructs an extended theoretical framework incorporating service personalization and perceived value. A questionnaire survey was administered to 354 urban residents with prior experience in smart sports services across four first-tier cities in China. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling via SPSS 27.0 and Amos 28.0. Results: (1) Service personalization and perceived value are significantly positively associated with sports participation; (2) Perceived usefulness and exercise self-efficacy partially mediate the relationship between service personalization, perceived value, and sports participation; (3) A significant chain mediation effect is observed, wherein service personalization enhances perceived usefulness, which in turn strengthens exercise self-efficacy, ultimately promoting sustained sports participation. Conclusion: The findings reveal a sequential psychological mechanism-"technology perception → cognitive evaluation → efficacy belief → behavioral outcome"-through which smart sports services facilitate residents' sports engagement. These insights provide theoretical support for optimizing smart sports service design and inform policy aimed at promoting digital health interventions.