Application of the Multi-Process Action Control model framework to predict physical activity: a study on Korean university students

Most university students struggle to translate their intention to engage in physical activity into actual behaviour. While various theories have been proposed to explain physical activity behaviour, most focus on explicit cognitions such as intention. The aim of this study is to apply the Multi-Process Action Control(M-PAC) model to Korean university students, examining the entire process from intention formation to behaviour implementation, while also investigating the predictive utility of the M-PAC framework for explaining physical activity behaviour. A total of 330 participants completed baseline surveys, which assessed constructs outlined in the M-PAC framework. One month later, 234 participants completed a follow-up survey to measure physical activity. The study found that affective attitude, perceived opportunity and capability were significant predictors of intention in the reflective process. Intention, in turn, predicted physical activity through the sequential mediation of behavioural regulation in the regulatory process and identity and habit in the reflexive process, aligning with the theoretical flow of the M-PAC framework. The study highlights the roles of behavioural regulation, identity, and habit in translating intention into sustained physical activity. These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting both intention formation and the processes that sustain long-term engagement in physical activity.