BACKGROUND

Physical activity is a vital means for college students to maintain physical health, while altruism is a desirable psychological trait and a cornerstone of mental health. However, direct evidence exploring the relationship between physical activity and altruistic behavior remains limited. This study investigates how physical activity influences altruistic behavior among university students, focusing on the chain-mediated roles of social support and personality extraversion.

METHODS

A sample of 507 Chinese university students (293 males, 214 females; aged 17-25) completed validated scales, including the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Social Support Scale, Personality Extraversion Dimension of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory (CBF-PI-B), and Altruistic Behavior Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 6) to test correlations, regression, and mediation effects, with gender and grade as control variables.

RESULTS

Physical activity showed a significant positive correlation with altruistic behavior (r = 0.434, p < 0.01).Social support (β = 0.0043,95% CI = [0.0027,0.0061]) and personality extraversion (β = 0.0020,95% CI = [0.0011,0.0031]) independently mediated this relationship. A chain mediation effect was confirmed, where physical activity enhanced altruistic behavior sequentially through social support and extraversion (β = 0.0028,95% CI = [0.0017,0.0042]). Gender and grade differences were observed, with males and upperclassmen exhibiting higher physical activity and altruistic tendencies.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity positively predicts altruistic behavior among college students, mediated by social support and personality extraversion. These findings highlight the importance of integrating physical activity into university policies to foster mental health, social networks, and prosocial traits, ultimately cultivating altruistic behaviors and socially responsible individuals.