The impact of intention to adopt generative AI for exercise information on exercise adherence among Chinese college students: the mediating role of autonomous motivation and network analysis.

Intention to adopt generative AI for exercise information was significantly positively correlated with exercise adherence among Chinese college students.

• β = 0.299, p < 0.001
• The study used a cross-sectional survey design with 1,878 Chinese undergraduates via stratified random cluster sampling
• Core variables were measured using a self-developed 'Intention to Adopt Generative AI for Exercise Information Scale,' the Chinese version of the 'Autonomous Motivation Scale,' and the 'Exercise Adherence Scale'
• Mediation effects were tested using the PROCESS macro

Autonomous motivation significantly mediated the relationship between intention to adopt generative AI for exercise information and exercise adherence.

• The indirect effect through autonomous motivation had an effect size of 0.116, 95% CI [0.094, 0.139]
• The mediation effect accounted for 27.78% of the total effect
• This pathway supports a theoretical model described as 'technology adoption-motivation internalization-behavior persistence'

Network analysis identified 'intrinsic motivation' and 'behavioral habits' as the core nodes with the most significant influence on the overall psychological-behavioral network.

• Network analysis was performed in R to examine complex interactions among variables
• Intrinsic motivation and behavioral habits had the highest centrality or influence among all nodes examined
• The network analysis approach was used to complement the mediation analysis by revealing complex interrelationships among variables

The study employed stratified random cluster sampling to recruit a large sample of Chinese undergraduate students.

• Total sample size was 1,878 Chinese undergraduates
• A cross-sectional survey design was used
• Questionnaires were administered to measure intention to adopt generative AI for exercise information, autonomous motivation, and exercise adherence