Influencing factors of physical exercise motivation among military academy cadets: a social ecological model analysis

Physical exercise motivation is a critical determinant of health behavior among military academy cadets. While individual psychological factors have been extensively studied, the multilevel influences based on the Social Ecological Model (SEM) remain underexplored in this population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intrapersonal (exercise self-efficacy), interpersonal (social support), and Organizational (institutional support) factors on exercise motivation among Chinese military academy cadets. A validated questionnaire was developed based on SEM constructs. After pilot testing with 294 participants (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.82 for all scales), a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 581 cadets. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS 24.0 to examine direct and indirect pathways. Bootstrap resampling (5,000 iterations) was employed to test mediating effects. Exercise self-efficacy demonstrated a significant total effect on exercise motivation (β = 0.465, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.357–0.569]) but no significant direct effect, indicating full mediation. Both interpersonal support (β = 0.547, p < 0.001) and Organizational support (β = 0.198, p = 0.001) exhibited significant positive direct effects. Three significant indirect pathways were identified: (1) Self-efficacy → Organizational support → Motivation (β = 0.136, p = 0.005, 95% CI [0.038–0.268]). (2) Self-efficacy → Interpersonal support → Motivation (β = 0.130, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.055–0.223]). (3) Self-efficacy → Organizational support → Interpersonal support → Motivation (β = 0.175, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.115–0.255]). Organizational and interpersonal supports serve as critical mediators translating individual self-efficacy into exercise motivation. Multi-level interventions targeting policy optimization (e.g., mandatory group exercise programs), peer-mentoring systems, and instructor training may facilitate the transition from extrinsic compliance to intrinsic motivation among military cadets.

• Publication year

  2026

• Venue

  Frontiers in Psychiatry

• Publication date

  2026-03-03

• Fields of study

  Not labeled

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1741195PMCID PMC12992306
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• The influence of social support on the physical exercise behavior of college students: The mediating role of self-efficacy

  2022cited by this paper
• Peer and teacher influences on the motivational climate in physical education: A longitudinal perspective on achievement goal adoption

  2017cited by this paper
• Integrating self-determination theory with the social ecological model to understand students' physical activity behaviors

  2013cited by this paper
• Promoting School Students’ Physical Activity: A Social Ecological Perspective

  2012cited by this paper
• The Chinese version of the Outcome Expectations for Exercise scale: validation study.

  2011cited by this paper
• Ecological models of health behavior.

  2008cited by this paper
• The content validity index: are you sure you know what's being reported? Critique and recommendations.

  2006cited by this paper
• An ecological approach to creating active living communities.

  2006cited by this paper
• Common method biases in behavioral research: a critical review of the literature and recommended remedies.

  2003cited by this paper
• Peer relationships in physical activity contexts: a road less traveled in youth sport and exercise psychology research.

  2003cited by this paper
• Promoting Physical Activity in Youth: Focus on Middle SchooI Environments

  2001cited by this paper
• The association of school environments with youth physical activity.

  2001cited by this paper
• The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior

  2000cited by this paper
• Student Activity Levels, Lesson Context, and Teacher Behavior during Middle School Physical Education

  2000cited by this paper
• Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis : Conventional criteria versus new alternatives

  1999cited by this paper
• Predictors of adoption and maintenance of vigorous physical activity in men and women.

  1992cited by this paper
• Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error

  1981cited by this paper

• No citing papers are available for this paper.