Unraveling the Pathway: How Physical Activity Enhances Sleep Quality Through Reduced Mobile Addiction and Maladaptive Thought Patterns in University Students

Aim Physical exercise improves sleep quality, whereas its underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. This study examines how mobile phone addiction and rumination mediate the relationship between physical exercise and college students' sleep quality, offering a theoretical basis for preventing and addressing sleep problems. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,300 college students from seven universities using the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale, and the Rumination Scale. Results (1) Physical exercise significantly negatively predicted college students' mobile phone addiction, rumination, and sleep quality (β = -0.039, P < 0.01; β = -0.011, P < 0.01; β = -0.022, P < 0.01). (2) Mobile phone addiction significantly positively predicted college students' rumination and sleep quality (β = 0.388, P < 0.01; β = 0.244, P < 0.01). (3) Rumination significantly positively predicted college students' sleep quality (β = 0.272, P < 0.01). (4)The mediating pathway whereby physical exercise influences sleep quality through mobile phone addiction and rumination was statistically significant. Conclusion (1) Actively participating in physical exercise can effectively improve college students' mobile phone addiction, rumination, and sleep quality (2) Reducing mobile phone addiction and rumination among college students can significantly enhance their sleep quality (3)The effect of college students' participation in physical exercise on sleep quality is mediated in a chain by mobile phone addiction and rumination.