The relationship between physical activity and music performance anxiety among university music students: a chain mediation model

Introduction: Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a prominent psychological concern among university music students. Although physical activity has been associated with lower levels of anxiety, its association with music performance anxiety has received limited empirical attention. This study examined the association between physical activity and music performance anxiety among university music students, with particular attention to the mediating roles of psychological resilience and cognitive reappraisal. Methods: A convenience sample of 1,236 music students was recruited from multiple universities in China. Participants completed measures of physical activity, psychological resilience, cognitive reappraisal, and music performance anxiety. Mediation and serial mediation analyses were conducted using Model 6 of the SPSS PROCESS macro, with bootstrap estimation based on 5,000 resamples. Bootstrap analyses indicated significant indirect effects through psychological resilience (indirect effect = -0.132, Boot SE = 0.018, 95% CI [-0.170, -0.098]) and cognitive reappraisal (indirect effect = -0.081, Boot SE = 0.014, 95% CI [-0.109, -0.056]). The serial indirect effect through psychological resilience and cognitive reappraisal was also significant (indirect effect = -0.033, Boot SE = 0.006, 95% CI [-0.045, -0.023]). Conclusion: These findings extend understanding of the associations among physical activity, psychological resilience, cognitive reappraisal, and music performance anxiety. Psychological resilience and cognitive reappraisal may represent relevant psychological factors in the association between physical activity and music performance anxiety, providing a preliminary basis for future longitudinal and intervention research and for educational practices intended to support music students' psychological well-being.