The relationship between mobile phone addiction and physical activity behavior among university students: the mediating role of bedtime procrastination.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between mobile phone addiction and physical exercise behavior among college students, and to analyze the mediating effect of bedtime delay between the two, to provide a basis for the development of good behavioral habits among college students.

Methods: The Mobile Phone Addiction Scale, the Physical Activity Behavior Self-Assessment Scale, and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale were administered to 356 college students (49.4% male) in Sichuan Province. Structural equation modeling was then conducted to test the mediating effects.

Results: (1) There is no gender difference in mobile phone addiction, bedtime procrastination, and physical activity behavior among college students (all > 0.05). (2) There was a significant negative correlation between college students' mobile phone addiction and physical activity behavior ( = -0.688, < 0.01); a significant positive correlation between college students' mobile phone addiction and bedtime delay ( = 0.730, < 0.01); and a significant negative correlation between bedtime delay and physical activity behavior ( = -0.658, < 0.01). (3) Bedtime delay mediates the relationship between mobile phone addiction and physical activity behavior among college students (β = -0.27).

Conclusion: (1) There is a close relationship between mobile phone addiction, bedtime procrastination, and physical activity behavior among college students; (2) Mobile phone addiction significantly impacts the physical activity behavior of college students. Additionally, it indirectly influences their physical activity behavior through procrastination at bedtime.