University students' exercise intention in the context of technology assistance: testing an integrated model of SDT and TPB.

Purpose: This study explores the psychological mechanisms underlying university students' intentions to engage in technology-assisted exercise, focusing on campus running applications for university physical exercise management in China. Method: Guided by an integrated Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, data were collected from 477 undergraduates. Five psychological needs-autonomy, competence, relatedness, novelty, and variety-were examined as predictors of exercise intention, with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as mediators. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for analysis. Results: The findings showed that basic psychological needs significantly predicted exercise intention. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest mediator, whereas subjective norms had no significant influence. Discussion/conclusion: This study highlights the roles of novelty, variety, and perceived control in sustaining motivation, refining SDT-TPB integration, and informing the design of digital health interventions for students.