More Active, Less Aggressive! Understanding How Physical Activity Reduces Aggressive Behavior Among Chinese Adolescents: A Three-Wave Mediation Model

Xiuzhuan Yue¹Haiying Cao^2,3Xueying Wang⁴Dong Zhu^2*Chang Hu⁵

• ¹Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
• ²Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, China
• ³Huaihua Normal College, Huaihua, China
• ⁴Henan Institute of Technology, Xinxiang, China
• ⁵Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China

Background: Adolescent aggression is a pressing global concern, especially in school contexts. Although prior studies suggest an inverse association between physical activity and aggression, longitudinal evidence on the mediating role of self-control remains limited. This study addresses this gap by testing a three-wave longitudinal mediation model, examining whether physical activity predicts reduced aggression through enhanced self-control, and whether these pathways are moderated by gender and grade. Methods: This one-year longitudinal cohort followed Chinese adolescents across three waves. At baseline (T1), 2,011 students were enrolled; 1,927 and 1,866 participants completed the second (T2) and third (T3) assessments, respectively. Physical activity was captured with a single-item measure, self-control with the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), and aggression with the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Gender, grade, and baseline aggression were included as covariates. Analyses were conducted in SPSS 26; mediation was tested using the PROCESS macro (Model 4). To evaluate moderation by gender and grade, multi-group structural equation models were estimated in AMOS 28.0. Results: Physical activity at T1 was significantly and negatively associated with aggressive behavior at T3 (β = -0.083, p < 0.001). Self-control at T2 partially mediated this relationship (mediation effect = -0.035, 95% CI [-0.046, -0.025]), indicating that increased physical activity enhances self-control, which in turn reduces aggressive behavior. Multi-group analyses revealed that the effect of self-control on aggressive behavior was stronger in girls. In comparison, the effect of physical activity on self-control was stronger in Grade 7 students. Conclusion: This study presents longitudinal evidence demonstrating that enhanced self-control, developed through physical activity, leads to a reduction in aggressive behavior among adolescents, with variations observed based on gender and grade level. The results emphasize the significance of incorporating physical activity into school-based programs aimed at improving mental health and mitigating aggression in adolescents. To strengthen these findings, future research should investigate other potential mediating factors and utilize experimental methodologies.