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. 2025 Feb 21:13:1530947.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530947. eCollection 2025.

Exploring the relationship between physical activity and smartphone addiction among college students in Western China

Chun Lai #  1 , Peiling Cai #  2 , Junyi Liao #  3 , Xiwei Li  3 , Yuanyuan Wang  4 , Mengping Wang  2 , Peng Ye  2 , Xinwei Chen  3 , Brett D Hambly  5 , Xiaoping Yu  2 , Shisan Bao  6   7 , Haifeng Zhang  6   7
Affiliations

Exploring the relationship between physical activity and smartphone addiction among college students in Western China

Chun Lai et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Smartphone addiction (SA) refers to a behavioral disorder characterized by an irresistible compulsion to excessively engage with mobile devices. Currently, the evidence regarding the relationship between physical activity (PA), exercise intensity (EI), and SA is limited, particularly within Chinese populations. This study aims to explore the correlation between PA, EI, and SA, specifically investigating how PA and EI impact SA to better understand the nature of this relationship.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving college students from over 20 universities in Western China. Data were collected on participants' engagement in PA, EI, and SA. Additionally, covariates such as age, gender, ethnicity, academic classification, university location, discipline, year of study, hometown region, sibling status, relationship status, and social interactions were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between PA, EI, and SA. Stratified and interaction analyses were performed to examine whether the relationship remained consistent across different subgroups.

Results: Of the 3,506 college students surveyed, 1,905 (54.3%) experienced SA. The prevalence of SA was 11.3% lower in the group that engaged in PA compared to those who did not. In the fully adjusted model, PA was negatively associated with SA (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.82, p < 0.001). EI was also inversely associated with SA. Moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise had odds ratios of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.67-0.98, p = 0.034) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.68-1.00, p = 0.046), respectively, compared with low-intensity exercise. Similar patterns were observed in subgroup analyses (all p values for interaction >0.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant negative association between PA, EI, and SA, highlighting the potential of promoting PA and higher EI as strategies to reduce SA among college students.

Keywords: Western China; college students; cross-sectional survey; exercise intensity; physical activity; smartphone addiction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of participants selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot. Association between PA and SA according to different subgroups. Each stratification factor was adjusted for all other variables, including age, sex, ethnicity, home region, only-child status, double first-class status, university location, discipline, grade, relationship status, and interpersonal relationships, except for the stratification component itself. STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; OR, Odds Ratio; 95% CI, 95% Confidence Interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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