The Effect of Self-Determination on Exercise Immersion among Free-Diving Participants: Mediation Effect of Life Satisfaction

This study examined the effect of self-determination on exercise immersion among free-diving participants and tested the mediating role of life satisfaction. A total of 311 adult free-divers completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS macro Model 4, including exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression, and mediation analysis. The results showed that self-determination had a partially significant effect on life satisfaction, which in turn positively influenced exercise immersion. Self-determination also directly affected exercise immersion. Specifically, relatedness indirectly influenced exercise immersion through life satisfaction, whereas autonomy and competence exerted direct effects. These findings indicate that sub-factors of self-determination operate through differentiated pathways in predicting exercise immersion in free-diving. Performance-oriented and relationship-based motivations contribute to immersion through distinct mechanisms. Therefore, enhancing free-diving participation requires not only skill-based approaches but also relational and community-based environments. These results highlight that free-diving participation is not solely driven by individual performance factors but is also significantly shaped by social and relational experiences. Accordingly, fostering community-based environments and enhancing interpersonal interactions among participants can be considered essential strategies for sustaining exercise immersion and participation.