Physical fitness and enjoyment of physical activity among university students: implications for sustainable physical activity participation

Background Promoting sustainable physical activity participation among university students is a key challenge for higher education and public health systems. Enjoyment has been widely recognized as a critical psychological determinant of sustained engagement in physical activity; however, the role of physical fitness as an individual factor shaping exercise enjoyment remains insufficiently explored. Methods This study examined differences in physical activity enjoyment between university students with high and low physical fitness levels. Undergraduate students ( N = 80) were selected using an extreme-group design based on the National Student Physical Fitness Standards assessment. The top 15% (high-fitness group, n = 40) and bottom 15% (low-fitness group, n = 40) were matched for age and gender. Physical activity enjoyment was measured using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Independent-samples t -tests and effect size analyses were conducted. Results The high-fitness group reported significantly higher enjoyment of physical activity ( M = 103.45, SD = 17.80) than the low-fitness group ( M = 77.68, SD = 19.31; p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.39). These findings indicate substantial differences in affective exercise experiences across fitness levels. Conclusion Physical fitness is closely associated with enjoyment of physical activity among university students. Enhancing physical fitness and designing fitness-adaptive physical education programs may play a crucial role in fostering enjoyment and supporting sustainable physical activity participation in higher education.