Abstract
Background
Although a few studies have examined the relationship between physical exercise and sleep quality, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this association. This study constructed a moderated mediation model to examine the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of mindfulness in the association between physical exercise and sleep quality.
Methods
Data were collected through convenient sampling at five universities in China, a total of 1028 college students, aged 16 to 29 participated in the study. They were recruited to complete the self-report questionnaires measuring their physical exercise, self-control, sleep quality and mindfulness.
Results
The study found significant associations between physical exercise, sleep quality, self-control and mindfulness of Chinese college students. Specifically, the self-control significantly mediated the relationship between physical exercise and sleep quality. In addition, moderated mediation analyses suggest that the association between physical exercise and sleep quality is moderated by mindfulness. The effect was stronger among college students with high mindfulness levels than those with low.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that the physical exercise have a significant impact on the sleep quality of college student, the influence mediated by self-control, and moderated by mindfulness.