A Study on the Motivation and Behavior of College Students in Campus Sports Activities

This study aims to explore the motivational structure for college students' participation in campus sports activities and its influence on participation behavior, analyzing differences among demographic groups. Using a mixed-methods approach, we developed a theoretical model of sports participation motivation and behavior through literature analysis and theoretical deduction, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Self-Determination Theory. A structured questionnaire was designed, incorporating demographic information, sports participation motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, social), and participation behavior (frequency, intensity, duration, types of activities). The study involved 2,862 undergraduate students from 12 universities of varying tiers nationwide, with factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling conducted using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0. The findings reveal that college students' sports participation motivation consists of five dimensions: health promotion, skill enhancement, social interaction, stress relief, and external drive. Notably, intrinsic motivation has a direct positive impact on participation behavior, while extrinsic motivation indirectly influences participation through self-efficacy. Significant differences were found based on gender and academic year; males scored higher in skill enhancement and exercise intensity, while upperclassmen exhibited lower social motivation compared to freshmen. The conclusions provide a theoretical basis for reforming physical education in colleges, recommending strategies to enhance student participation levels through optimizing curriculum design, fostering a sports culture, and reinforcing individual goal identification.