Physical exercise moderates the mediating effect of sleep quality between internet addiction and college students’ academic burnout

Internet addiction is a significant contributing factor to academic burnout among college students, though the underlying psychological and behavioral mechanisms warrant further investigation. This study investigated the mediating role of sleep quality between internet addiction and college students’ academic burnout, as well as the moderating role of physical exercise on this mediation pathway. A study was conducted to assess internet addiction, sleep quality, academic burnout, and physical exercise among college students. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed on these variables, and a moderated mediation model was developed. Internet addiction was positively correlated with sleep quality and academic burnout, and sleep quality was positively associated with academic burnout. Additionally, physical exercise demonstrated negative associations with internet addiction, sleep quality, and academic burnout. Furthermore, physical exercise moderated the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality. This study provides further insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between internet addiction and academic burnout among college students. Sleep quality serves as a mediating factor, while physical exercise act as a moderating factor in the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality. This study highlights the role of sleep quality and physical exercise in the relationship between internet addiction and academic burnout, offering novel perspectives and strategies for addressing these challenges among college students.