The relationship between latent profile-based physical exercise and academic burnout in college students: the mediating roles of self-control and problematic smartphone use

IntroductionAcademic burnout is a prevalent issue among college students, yet research on its relationship with physical exercise from a person-centered perspective remains limited. This study aimed to identify latent profiles of physical exercise among college students and to examine the mediating roles of self-control and problematic smartphone use in the association between these exercise profiles and academic burnout.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 722 Chinese college students. Latent profile analysis and bootstrap mediation analysis were employed to analyze the data.ResultsThe results revealed three distinct exercise profiles: occasional exercisers (27.9%), developing exercisers (31.7%), and regular exercisers (40.3%). Significant differences were found across the three profiles in self-control, problematic smartphone use, and academic burnout. Specifically, regular exercisers reported the highest self-control and the lowest levels of problematic smartphone use and academic burnout, followed by developing exercisers, with occasional exercisers showing the least favorable outcomes. Mediation analyses indicated that self-control significantly mediated the relationship between both the developing and regular exercise profiles (compared to occasional exercisers) and academic burnout. Moreover, self-control and problematic smartphone use acted as sequential mediators in these relationships. However, problematic smartphone use alone did not show a significant mediating effect.DiscussionThese findings highlight the heterogeneity in college students’ physical exercise patterns and suggest that interventions aimed at reducing academic burnout should consider promoting regular physical exercise, which appears to be associated with higher self-control and subsequently lower problematic smartphone use. Tailored strategies targeting different exercise profiles may be more effective in addressing academic burnout.