{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T11:01:20Z","timestamp":1784804480188,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784764800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Grounded in the context of physical education and based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study examined the time-separated associations between physical activity self-efficacy and the continuance use of AI learning tools among physical education students through multiple chained mediation pathways involving perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention to use.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A three-wave longitudinal design was employed. Data were collected from physical education students in April 2025 (T1), July 2025 (T2), and November 2025 (T3), resulting in 511 successfully matched samples. Physical activity self-efficacy was measured at T1; perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention to use were measured at T2; and continuance use behavior was measured at T3. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and the Bootstrap method (5,000 resamples) were used to test multiple chained mediation effects within the TAM framework.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      All five chained mediation pathways (H1\u2013H5) were statistically significant, and the overall chained mediation effect was 0.113 (95% CI [0.083, 0.143]). The chained mediation effect for path aegh was significant (\u03b2 = 0.011, 95% CI [0.006, 0.018],\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.01). The serial mediation effect for path afh was significant (\u03b2 = 0.047, 95% CI [0.029, 0.067],\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.01). The chained mediation effect for path bdgh was significant (\u03b2 = 0.022, 95% CI [0.013, 0.034],\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.01). The chained mediation effect for path bcegh was significant (\u03b2 = 0.006, 95% CI [0.004, 0.011],\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.001). The chained mediation effect for path bcfh was also significant (\u03b2 = 0.027, 95% CI [0.018, 0.040],\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.01).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Among Chinese physical education students, the continuance use of AI learning tools appears to be associated with physical activity self-efficacy through a time-separated process involving perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention to use. Based on three-wave longitudinal data, this study provides evidence that physical activity self-efficacy may function as a domain-specific psychological antecedent associated with self-reported continuance use behavior through TAM-based cognitive, attitudinal, and intentional processes in the context of physical education.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1844939","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T10:05:22Z","timestamp":1784801122000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The influence of physical activity self-efficacy on the continuance use of AI learning tools among physical education students: a three-wave longitudinal study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Junhao","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, Guizhou Medical University","place":["Guiyang, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lu","family":"Zhen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Training and Sports, Saint Euphrosyne Polotsk State University","place":["Polotsk, Belarus"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Junhui","family":"Zhu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia","place":["Bangi, Malaysia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mujuan","family":"Zhao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, Kyungpook National University","place":["Sangju, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jing","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, Sichuan Tianfu New District Experimental Primary School","place":["Chengdu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fang","family":"Tan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, State University of Jakarta","place":["Jakarta, Indonesia"]},{"name":"Department of Medicine and Research, Lijiang College of Culture and Tourism","place":["Lijiang, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/15313220.2025.2607355","article-title":"Augmented reality and virtual reality acceptance and engagement in tourism education: the role of openness to experience and emotional stability.","volume":"26","author":"Abbas","year":"2026","journal-title":"J. Teach. Travel Tour."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2175110","DOI":"10.1080\/08839514.2023.2175110","article-title":"Acceptance of artificial intelligence application in the post-covid ERA and its impact on faculty members\u2019 occupational well-being and teaching self efficacy: a path analysis using the utaut 2 model.","volume":"37","author":"Alhwaiti","year":"2023","journal-title":"Appl. Artif. Intell."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7169","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-91634-4","article-title":"The mediating role of satisfaction in the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and students\u2019 behavioural intention to use ChatGPT.","volume":"15","author":"Alshammari","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B4","volume-title":"Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control.","author":"Bandura","year":"1997"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1080\/1091367X.2021.1962324","article-title":"Measurement of physical activity self-efficacy in physical activity-promoting interventions in adults: a systematic review.","volume":"26","author":"Bateman","year":"2022","journal-title":"Meas. Phys. Educ. Exerc. Sci."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105217","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actpsy.2025.105217","article-title":"Impact of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of humanoid robots on students\u2019 intention to use.","volume":"258","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Acta Psychol."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8341","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-39778-9","article-title":"AI-enabled learning analytics use relates to physical literacy and engagement in university PE via smart teaching and personalised feedback.","volume":"16","author":"Chen","year":"2026","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"319","DOI":"10.2307\/249008","article-title":"Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology.","volume":"13","author":"Davis","year":"1989","journal-title":"MIS Q."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"982","DOI":"10.1287\/mnsc.35.8.982","article-title":"User acceptance of computer technology: a comparison of two theoretical models.","volume":"35","author":"Davis","year":"1989","journal-title":"Manage. Sci."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.2307\/3151312","article-title":"Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error.","volume":"18","author":"Fornell","year":"1981","journal-title":"J. Market. Res."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1428365","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1428365","article-title":"Correlational research on college students\u2019 physical exercise behavior, academic engagement, and self-efficacy.","volume":"16","author":"Gao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.2147\/PRBM.S192515","article-title":"A three-wave time-lagged study of mediation between positive feedback and organizational citizenship behavior: the role of organization-based self-esteem.","volume":"12","author":"Haider","year":"2019","journal-title":"Psychol. Res. Behav. Manage."},{"key":"B13","volume-title":"Multivariate Data Analysis","author":"Hair","year":"2019"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e33251","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2024.e33251","article-title":"Continue using or gathering dust? A mixed method research on the factors influencing the continuous use intention for an AI-powered adaptive learning system for rural middle school students.","volume":"10","author":"Han","year":"2024","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/10705519909540118","article-title":"Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives.","volume":"6","author":"Hu","year":"1999","journal-title":"Struct. Equat. Model."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1588643","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1588643","article-title":"The impact of exercising self-efficacy on physical education learning engagement: the mediating role of flow experience.","volume":"16","author":"Huang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B17","first-page":"99","article-title":"Effects of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of technology acceptance model on intention to continue using generative AI: focusing on the mediating effect of satisfaction and moderating effect of innovation resistance","volume-title":"Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptual Modeling","author":"Jeong","year":"2025"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100590","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2024.100590","article-title":"How artificial intelligence-induced job insecurity shapes knowledge dynamics: the mitigating role of artificial intelligence self-efficacy.","volume":"9","author":"Kim","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Innovat. Knowl."},{"key":"B19","volume-title":"Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling.","author":"Kline","year":"2023"},{"key":"B20","volume-title":"Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling.","author":"Little","year":"2013"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-025-00540-2","article-title":"Design and assessment of AI-based learning tools in higher education: a systematic review.","volume":"22","author":"Luo","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1037\/1082-989X.12.1.23","article-title":"Bias in cross-sectional analyses of longitudinal mediation.","volume":"12","author":"Maxwell","year":"2007","journal-title":"Psychol. Methods"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"816","DOI":"10.1080\/00273171.2011.606716","article-title":"Bias in cross-sectional analyses of longitudinal mediation: partial and complete mediation under an autoregressive model.","volume":"46","author":"Maxwell","year":"2011","journal-title":"Multiv. Behav. Res."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.3390\/higheredu4020017","article-title":"The impact of artificial intelligence on personalized learning in higher education: a systematic review.","volume":"4","author":"Merino-Campos","year":"2025","journal-title":"Trends High. Educ."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"411","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-024-01915-2","article-title":"The effect of mobile social media on the mental health status of Chinese international students: an empirical study on the chain mediation effect.","volume":"12","author":"Miao","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Psychol."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3191","DOI":"10.1007\/s10639-022-11305-z","article-title":"Understanding secondary students\u2019 continuance intention to adopt AI-powered intelligent tutoring system for English learning.","volume":"28","author":"Ni","year":"2023","journal-title":"Educ. Informat. Technol."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"94","DOI":"10.1177\/0149206309352110","article-title":"Longitudinal research: the theory, design, and analysis of change.","volume":"36","author":"Ployhart","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Manage."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.1037\/0021-9010.88.5.879","article-title":"Common method biases in behavioral research: a critical review of the literature and recommended remedies.","volume":"88","author":"Podsakoff","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Appl. Psychol."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33182","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-18873-3","article-title":"Linking digital competence, self-efficacy, and digital stress to perceived interactivity in AI-supported learning contexts.","volume":"15","author":"Ren","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18212","DOI":"10.1007\/s12144-022-02996-1","article-title":"Technology enhanced learning acceptance among university students: integrating self-determination theory and self-efficacy into the technology acceptance model.","volume":"42","author":"Rosli","year":"2023","journal-title":"Curr. Psychol."},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1108\/JTS-08-2025-0038","article-title":"Unlocking students\u2019 continuance intention to use generative AI for educational purposes: the dual role of habit.","volume":"14","author":"Sabani","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Trade Sci."},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"144","DOI":"10.1080\/15427600902911247","article-title":"Mediation models for longitudinal data in developmental research.","volume":"6","author":"Selig","year":"2009","journal-title":"Res. Hum. Dev."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/14792772143000003","article-title":"Intention\u2014behavior relations: a conceptual and empirical review.","volume":"12","author":"Sheeran","year":"2002","journal-title":"Eur. Rev. Soc. Psychol."},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11888","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-95704-5","article-title":"The influence of exercise self-efficacy and gender on the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity in college students.","volume":"15","author":"Sheng","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"897","DOI":"10.1007\/s40692-024-00333-y","article-title":"Modelling continuous intention to use generative artificial intelligence as an educational tool among university students: findings from PLS-SEM and ANN.","volume":"12","author":"Soliman","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Comput. Educ."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4018\/IJITSA.388942","article-title":"AI-driven intelligent sports teaching system: a framework for real-time assessment, instant correction, and adaptive learning feedback.","volume":"18","author":"Su","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Informat. Technol. Syst. Approach"},{"key":"B37","first-page":"149","volume-title":"The Role of Educational Technology in Bridging Learning Gaps Across Diverse Learners. Knowledge without borders: Empowering Futures Through Diverse Disciplines.","author":"Vashistha","year":"2025"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"186","DOI":"10.1287\/mnsc.46.2.186.11926","article-title":"A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies.","volume":"46","author":"Venkatesh","year":"2000","journal-title":"Manage. Sci."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"425","DOI":"10.2307\/30036540","article-title":"User acceptance of information technology: toward a unified view.","volume":"27","author":"Venkatesh","year":"2003","journal-title":"MIS Q."},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.2307\/41410412","article-title":"Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.","volume":"36","author":"Venkatesh","year":"2012","journal-title":"MIS Q."},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4785","DOI":"10.1007\/s10639-023-12015-w","article-title":"Artificial intelligence self-efficacy: scale development and validation.","volume":"29","author":"Wang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Informat. Technol."},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-2909.132.2.249","article-title":"Does changing behavioral intentions engender behavior change? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence.","volume":"132","author":"Webb","year":"2006","journal-title":"Psychol. Bull."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1133","DOI":"10.3390\/su17031133","article-title":"The impact of adaptive learning technologies, personalized feedback, and interactive AI tools on student engagement: the moderating role of digital literacy.","volume":"17","author":"Yaseen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sustainability"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1844939\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T10:05:26Z","timestamp":1784801126000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1844939\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]]},"references-count":43,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1844939"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1844939","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]]},"article-number":"1844939"}}