A survey of 2,401 students at 15 Sichuan universities linked greater exercise volume with psychological flourishing, including indirect associations through self-compassion and body appreciation. Four self–body profiles emerged, with flourishing highest in the high-self-compassion/high-body-appreciation group. Because all measures were cross-sectional, the findings are associations rather than causal mechanisms.
Key findings
- Significant indirect associations appeared through self-compassion, body appreciation and their serial combination; the self-compassion path was larger. Four profiles were identified: low–low, high–high, mindfulness-dominant moderate and low-mindfulness moderate. Greater exercise was associated with higher odds of the high–high profile and lower odds of the low–low profile.
Why this matters globally
The study supports hypotheses for campus programmes combining physical activity with self-compassion and positive body-image skills, but randomised and longitudinal tests are needed before claiming improved flourishing.
Thai researcher contribution
Tian Gao of Shinawatra University's Faculty of Education contributed to this China–Thailand research collaboration. All participants were in Sichuan, so the results do not directly represent Thai students.
Limitations to consider
Cross-sectional self-report data cannot establish temporal order and are vulnerable to common-method bias, confounding and reverse direction. The latent profiles also require replication across cultures and time.