biostudies-literatureYu HXiuli Zhang5795https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10924895biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)This study aims to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy (SE) and self-control (SC) in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and aggressive behaviors (AB) among college students. It provides a basis for the prevention and control of AB among college students. This study employed a survey research methodology, including the PA Level Scale, the General Self-efficacy Scale, the Self-control Scale, and the Chinese Aggressive Behaviors Scale on 950 college students. The chain mediating effect test and Bootstrap analysis were applied. The results were as follows: (1) There was a main effect of PA on SE, SC, and AB as well as all sub-indicators (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, hostility, self-directed aggression), i.e., PA had a direct effect on the control of all tScientific reportsAnalyzing the effects of physical activity levels on aggressive behavior in college students using a chain-mediated model.PMC1092489521BTY035Ma QHu SJiang SWang XSun YYu HfalseAnalyzing the effects of physical activity levels on aggressive behavior in college students using a chain-mediated model.This study aims to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy (SE) and self-control (SC) in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and aggressive behaviors (AB) among college students. It provides a basis for the prevention and control of AB among college students. This study employed a survey research methodology, including the PA Level Scale, the General Self-efficacy Scale, the Self-control Scale, and the Chinese Aggressive Behaviors Scale on 950 college students. The chain mediating effect test and Bootstrap analysis were applied. The results were as follows: (1) There was a main effect of PA on SE, SC, and AB as well as all sub-indicators (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, hostility, self-directed aggression), i.e., PA had a direct effect on the control of all t2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2026-07-14T19:36:59.366Z2025-04-04T12:59:08.547ZS-EPMC109248953846117410.1038/s41598-024-55534-3