Exercise motivation, barriers and HIIT preferences among Chinese college students: a qualitative study

Introduction The declining physical fitness of Chinese college students has become a major public health concern. To address this issue, this study serves as a preliminary needs assessment for the development of a tailored high-intensity interval training (HIIT) module. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study aims to explore exercise motivations, perceived barriers, and HIIT preferences among Chinese college students, providing a theoretically grounded understanding to inform intervention design. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling to recruit Chinese undergraduate students aged 18 to 24. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out, focusing on exercise motivations, barriers, and HIIT preferences. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis with NVivo 12. The inductive approach was used to explore participants’ exercise motivations and perceived barriers, allowing themes to emerge directly from the data. In contrast, a deductive approach was applied to categorize HIIT preferences according to six predefined dimensions based on established exercise guidelines. While themes were primarily derived inductively, their interpretation was informed by SDT constructs, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, amotivation, and the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Results Sixteen participants were included in the analysis. Five themes related to exercise motivation were identified: health benefits, self-interest, improved physical appearance, suitable training environment, and having training partners. These reflected different types of motivation, including intrinsic motivation (e.g., enjoyment), extrinsic motivation (e.g., health and appearance), and relatedness needs. Barriers to exercise were categorized into internal and external factors. Internal barriers included lack of motivation, bodily discomfort, lack of time, high perceived intensity of HIIT, lack of knowledge, and fatigue, many of which reflect amotivation or competence-related challenges. External barriers included academic pressure, environmental constraints, and physical condition. Regarding HIIT preferences, most participants preferred bodyweight-based exercises performed three times per week, with sessions lasting over 30 min. Conclusion This study highlights that exercise behaviors among Chinese college students are shaped by varying types of motivation and the satisfaction or frustration of basic psychological needs as outlined in SDT. Supporting autonomy, competence, and relatedness may enhance engagement in HIIT and improve adherence. These findings provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for developing a tailored HIIT module that aligns with students’ motivational profiles and preferences.