AUTHOR=Wang Hongbiao , Piao Zhongsu , Ji Zhiguang , Liang Leichao , Chen Qianhong , Yang Ruoyu , Cai Ming , Wang Liyan 

TITLE=Constructing and evaluating the physical literacy index for college students in China: a new insight and perspective

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1612356

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1612356

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=BackgroundCollege students today face significant challenges related to physical literacy, including declining fitness levels and low health awareness. Constructing a scientifically robust index to assess physical literacy in this demographic is essential.MethodsWe distributed 800 questionnaires via simple random sampling across eight universities, ultimately obtaining 706 valid responses from first- and second-year undergraduate students in Shanghai. Various components of physical literacy—including exercise motivation, attitude, commitment, confidence, body appreciation, willpower, physical activity, and fitness—were measured using established tools. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0, covering descriptive statistics, reliability and validity assessments, correlation analysis, and difference analysis.ResultsThe Physical Literacy Index (PLI) for Chinese college students was developed through principal component analysis. The weights for the components were as follows: motivation for sports (0.171), attitude toward sports (0.147), physical fitness (0.163), commitment to sports (0.130), physical activity level (0.105), appreciation of the body (0.122), confidence in sports (0.091), and willpower in sports (0.070). The PLI showed a significant negative correlation with screen time (correlation coefficient of −0.257) and strong positive correlations with other variables, with the lowest correlation coefficient at 0.594, indicating effective calibration. The overall physical literacy level among Chinese college students is concerningly low, with no significant differences found across genders, ages, or regions of origin (p < 0.05). Despite a relatively high pass rate for physical fitness tests (64.16%), only 1.42% achieved excellent grades, and just 21.67% scored good.ConclusionThe physical literacy index of Chinese college students constructed in this study is scientific and valid, but the current situation regarding college students’ physical literacy is worrying. In the future, physical education and health promotion should be emphasized and targeted measures should be taken to improve the physical literacy of college students.