Abstract
INTRODUCTION: University students constitute a key source of national talent, yet academic and social pressures may cause harm to their physical and psychological health. From a salutogenic perspective, sense of coherence functions as a coping resource that mitigates the effects of demanding environments. This study examines how physical activity relates to sense of coherence, considering the roles of self-esteem and grit. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey used stratified cluster sampling (province × university type strata; sampled classrooms as clusters with in-class census of all eligible students). Four hundred and sixty-five valid questionnaires were collected from undergraduates in Hunan, Hubei, and Henan, China. Relationships among physical activity, self-esteem, grit, and sense of coherence were tested using structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation. RESULTS: Physical activity was positively associated with self-esteem and with grit. Self-esteem was positively associated with grit. Both self-esteem and grit were positively associated with sense of coherence. In addition, self-esteem and grit jointly mediated the relationship between physical activity and sense of coherence. Participation in physical activity appears to enhance self-esteem and grit, which in turn are linked to a stronger sense of coherence. DISCUSSION: To promote healthier university lives, governments and universities should expand opportunities for sport and create supportive environments that encourage regular, long-term engagement in physical activity. Students are encouraged to form and maintain stable physical-activity habits.