Latent profiles of sport participation motivation and their association with campus sports culture among higher vocational college students

Objective: This study identified latent profiles of sport participation motivation among higher vocational college students and examined their associations with campus sports culture. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2026 among students from three higher vocational colleges in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces using convenience sampling. Campus sports culture and sport participation motivation were assessed using the Campus Sports Culture Scale and the Chinese version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3. Latent profile analysis was performed in Mplus 8.3, followed by chi-square tests and the R3STEP three-step procedure to examine demographic differences and associations between campus sports culture and profile membership while accounting for classification uncertainty. Results: Four motivational profiles were identified: the Low-to-Moderate Flat Profile (5.8%), Autonomous Orientation Profile (33.1%), High Controlled-Amotivation Profile (8.4%), and Moderate Mixed-Motivation Profile (52.6%). The Moderate Mixed-Motivation Profile was the largest subgroup. With the Low-to-Moderate Flat Profile as the reference category, higher overall campus sports culture scores were associated with greater odds of membership in the Autonomous Orientation, High Controlled-Amotivation, and Moderate Mixed-Motivation Profiles, with the strongest association observed for the Autonomous Orientation Profile. At the dimensional level, material culture was associated with all three profiles, whereas spiritual and behavioral culture were associated with the Autonomous Orientation and Moderate Mixed-Motivation Profiles. Institutional culture was not significantly associated with profile membership. Conclusion: Sport participation motivation among higher vocational college students showed substantial heterogeneity, with mixed motivational regulation being the most common pattern. Campus sports culture was differentially associated with motivational profile membership, particularly with profiles containing stronger autonomous regulation. These findings suggest that accessible sport resources, an active participation climate, and recognition of sport value may be relevant considerations when developing profile-sensitive physical activity programs in higher vocational colleges.