Physical activity has several mental and psychological health benefits for students. Various studies in western countries have shown evidence of a relationship between physical activity and academic anxiety. Further, researchers have suggested testing the mechanism of this relationship. In this study, we aim to test the association between physical activity and academic anxiety of Canadian university students and to examine whether the mediation of self-enhancement and self-criticism explains this relationship. Four hundred and forty-two university students participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was applied to develop multiple mediation models. Results revealed that physical activity does not directly affect academic anxiety, but indirectly through self-enhancement and self-criticism. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that physical activity be promoted among students to promote self-enhancement, minimize negative thinking and self-criticism, and reduce their academic anxiety.

体育活动对学生有多种心理和心理健康益处。西方国家的多项研究表明，体育活动与学业焦虑之间存在关联。此外，研究人员建议测试这种关系的机制。在这项研究中，我们旨在测试加拿大大学生的体育活动与学业焦虑之间的关联，并检验自我提升和自我批评的中介是否可以解释这种关系。四百四十二名大学生参加了这项研究。结构方程模型被应用于开发多重中介模型。结果显示，体育锻炼并不直接影响学业焦虑，而是通过自我提升和自我批评间接影响。根据研究结果，