Theory of planned behaviour on physical activity among Hong Kong university students: A cross-sectional study considering gender and living arrangement

Physical activity (PA) rates decrease as students’ progress through their academic journey, with the steepest decline observed in the transition from high school to university. In Hong Kong, PA participation rates among university students are concerningly low, varying by sex and residence. The present study utilised the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explain PA intention and behaviour in Hong Kong university students. Participants were 402 (male = 140; 34.8 %—female = 246; 61.2 %) Hong Kong university students (M age = 21.8) who completed an online survey between February and May 2024, including measures of TPB and self-reported PA with demographic information. Linear regression analyses showed that attitudes and perceived behavioural control (PBC) ( p < 0.001 ) were significantly associated with PA intention. Mediation analysis suggested that attitude and subjective norms were associated with intention, with intention linked to PA participation. Subjective norms held a negative statistically significant effect with PA participation directly. Attitude was significantly associated with PA intention across all subsamples ( p < 0.001 ). PBC was moderately associated with PA intention in female students and students who resided on-campus and off-campus ( p < 0.05 ). Strong associations were reported by students who did not move away from their hometown ( p < 0.001 ). Furthermore, intention was the sole factor explaining PA participation for Hong Kong university students. Disparities in TPB explained variance in PA participation differed by sex, living arrangement and moving to university. Findings suggest sex and living arrangements may need to be considered when devising PA interventions for this student demographic. • Behavioural intention explained physical activity (PA) participation across all student subsamples. • Attitudes and perceived behavioural control were associated with PA intention. • Attitude was linked with PA intention across all student subsamples. • Perceived behavioural control was linked with PA intention among some student. • Subsamples. • Subjective norm was not associated with PA intention.