Sustained participation in sports yields substantial benefits for students, both physically, psychologically, and socially. However, long-term engagement in sports activities remains a persistent challenge in higher education contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive model that identifies and explains the key factors influencing sustainable sports participation behaviors among Chinese undergraduate students. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 experts purposively selected for their knowledge in sports education and policy. Thematic analysis identified five core dimensions influencing sports participation: attitudinal, behavioral, environmental, cultural, and technical. Based on these findings, a structured 31-item Likert-scale questionnaire was developed and administered to 384 undergraduate students from the College of Physical Education and Health at East China Normal University. Quantitative data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to validate the model. The instrument demonstrated strong content validity (CVR = 0.99; CVI = 0.99) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.88). PLS-SEM results confirmed the model's structural integrity, with attitude and environmental support emerging as the most influential predictors of sustained participation. Additionally, technical skills and cultural perceptions played mediating roles in facilitating long-term sports engagement. This study presents a theoretically and empirically grounded model for understanding sustainable sports participation among undergraduate students in China. The findings underscore the importance of developing multidimensional, context-sensitive strategies to promote long-term participation in sports. For practice, the study suggests tailored institutional interventions that enhance environmental support and promote positive cultural attitudes toward physical activity. For research, it advocates cross-cultural replication and longitudinal investigations to generalize and extend the model's applicability.
Yang et al. (2025) studied this question.