Impact of physical exercise on sleep quality in college students: A Chain mediating role of self-efficacy and emotional control

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine the impact of physical exercise on sleep quality among college students and elucidate the mediating roles of self-efficacy and emotional control in this relationship. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2024 China College Students' Physical Activity and Health Tracking Survey (CPAHLS-CS). A sample of 10,970 college students was included. Physical exercise levels were measured using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and emotional control was assessed using the Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale. Regression analysis and Bootstrap mediation analysis were employed to test the hypothesised relationships. RESULTS: (1) The direct effect of physical exercise on sleep quality was not significant (β = 0.011, P > 0.05). However, the total effect was negative (β = -0.056, P < 0.001), indicating that indirect effects comprised the predominant mechanism. (2) Self-efficacy (effect size = -0.024) and emotional control (effect size = -0.022) each independently mediated the relationship between physical exercise and sleep quality. (3) In the pathway through which physical exercise influences sleep quality, self-efficacy, and emotional control functioned as independent mediating variables. Specifically, physical exercise indirectly improved sleep quality by enhancing self-efficacy while positively impacting sleep quality through a distinct mediating mechanism involving strengthening emotional control. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the influence of physical exercise, self-efficacy, and emotional control on sleep quality. The findings suggest that physical exercise indirectly optimises sleep quality through a dynamic and synergistic mechanism involving the enhancement of self-efficacy and emotional control. This study provides theoretical support and practical pathways for sleep quality interventions in college students.