Built Environment and Physical Activity: A Study of Chinese University Faculty Members

Abstract

Built environments can affect individuals' physical activity levels and may stimulate self-efficacy, allowing them to use the environment more effectively for physical activity. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. This study aimed to investigate (a) the mediating role of self-efficacy in the association between built environment and physical activity level and (b) the moderating role of exercise benefits in the indirect relationship between built environment and physical activity level. Method: The participants were 553 Chinese university faculty members. They completed a questionnaire which focused on their build environment, self-efficacy, exercise benefits, and physical activity level. A review of the literature revealed that high self-esteem could be a protective factor against smartphone addiction for adolescents with a strong need to belong. These students appeared to be at an elevated risk of developing smartphone addiction. The present research found that the built environment and physical activity level were closely linked, and self-efficacy partially mediated the built environment and physical activity level. Exercise benefits had a moderating effect on the built environment and physical activity level. As the level of the benefits from exercise increases, the predictive effect of the built environment on the level of physical activity also increased gradually.