Effects of outdoor sports on college students’ learning burnout: a multiple mediation model of social support and self-regulation

Objective: This study investigates the alleviating effect of outdoor sports on learning burnout among university students, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and self-regulation ability. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 942 university students in China. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to explore the direct and indirect effects of outdoor sports on learning burnout. Results: The results revealed that outdoor sports negatively predicted learning burnout both directly and indirectly. Social support and self-regulation ability were found to partially mediate this relationship. Additionally, a significant chain mediation effect was identified, where outdoor sports enhanced social support, which in turn fostered self-regulation, ultimately reducing learning burnout. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of integrating outdoor sports into mental health and academic support strategies. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how external and internal psychological resources interact to reduce academic stress and promote well-being.