{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T04:56:16Z","timestamp":1790571376851,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790553600000},"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:p>\n                    This study examined the association of Project-Based Learning (PBL) with students\u2019 motivation in physical education (PE) and behavioral intention toward sport participation within an integrated theoretical framework combining Self-Determination Theory (SDT), constructivist learning theory, and social cognitive theory. A quasi-experimental pretest\u2013posttest control group design involved 120 secondary school students from eight intact classes, with four classes assigned to PBL (\n                    <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f60) and four to traditional instruction (\n                    <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f60). The 12-week intervention comprised structured sport-based PBL activities, whereas the control condition used predominantly teacher-centered instruction. Intervention effects were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models (LMM) accounting for repeated measurements and class-level clustering, followed by a baseline-adjusted two-level parallel mediation analysis accounting for students nested within classes. Significant group \u00d7 time interactions favored PBL for overall motivation (\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001,\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.60), intrinsic motivation (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.67), identified regulation (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.35), and behavioral intention (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.48; all\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001). Significant group \u00d7 time interactions were also observed for psychological needs satisfaction, including autonomy (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.72), competence (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.80), and relatedness (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.62), as well as self-efficacy (\n                    <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f1.70; all\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001). Psychological needs satisfaction [\n                    <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f0.21, 95% CI (0.04, 0.38)] and self-efficacy [\n                    <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f0.16, 95% CI (0.02, 0.30)] showed significant indirect effects on post-intervention motivation, while the direct effect remained significant [\n                    <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f0.29, 95% CI (0.04, 0.54)], with a total effect of\n                    <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u202f=\u202f0.66, 95% CI (0.37, 0.95), a pattern consistent with significant indirect associations. Because the mediators and outcome were assessed concurrently at posttest, these indirect effects should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of causal mediation. These findings indicate that PBL was associated with greater improvements in motivational and psychological outcomes and that psychological needs satisfaction and self-efficacy may represent complementary pathways linking PBL with students\u2019 motivation toward PE and behavioral intentions toward continued sport participation.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1915768","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T04:29:08Z","timestamp":1790569748000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The effect of project-based learning on students\u2019 motivation in school-based physical Education and behavioral intention toward sport participation: a theoretical and empirical perspective in educational sport contexts"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Lihong","family":"Liang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Geely University of China","place":["Chengdu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yao","family":"Xia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Geely University of China","place":["Chengdu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yu","family":"Huang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sichuan University","place":["Chengdu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Toward an integrative and fine-grained insight in motivating and demotivating teaching styles: the merits of a circumplex approach","volume":"13","author":"Aelterman","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Educ. Psychol."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1155\/2013\/282315","article-title":"Effects of a behavioral program on exercise adherence and exercise self-efficacy in community-dwelling older persons","volume":"2013","author":"Azizan","year":"2013","journal-title":"Curr. Gerontol. Geriatr. Res."},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1663","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-016-0495-z","article-title":"Correlates of gross motor competence in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"46","author":"Barnett","year":"2016","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"875","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-021-01516-8","article-title":"Through the looking glass: a systematic review of longitudinal evidence, providing new insight for motor competence and health","volume":"52","author":"Barnett","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.694548","article-title":"Investigating the youth sports development pathway within a South African context","volume":"12","author":"Berg","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.13189\/saj.2026.140115","article-title":"Structural relationships of sources of sport confidence and sport confidence affecting achievement goals in Thai collegiate combat sport athletes","volume":"14","author":"Buayai","year":"2026","journal-title":"Int. J. Hum. Mov. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref6","first-page":"1","article-title":"Motivation toward physical activity and healthy habits of adolescents: a systematic review","volume":"10","author":"Cach","year":"2023","journal-title":"Children"},{"key":"ref7","first-page":"19","article-title":"The basic psychological needs in physical education scale in Filipino: an exploratory factor analysis","volume":"47","author":"Cagas","year":"2014","journal-title":"Philipp. J. Psychol."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1479-5868-9-26","article-title":"Gender, perceived competence and the enjoyment of physical education in children: a longitudinal examination","volume":"9","author":"Cairney","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17103408","article-title":"Association between actual and perceived motor competence in school children","volume":"17","author":"Carcamo-oyarzun","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref10","first-page":"291","article-title":"Construct validity of the MOBAK test battery for the assessment of basic motor competencies in primary school children","volume":"78","author":"Carcamo-oyarzun","year":"2020","journal-title":"Rev. Pedagog."},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"675","DOI":"10.1080\/17408989.2023.2265399","article-title":"Motor competence, motivation and enjoyment in physical education to profile children in relation to physical activity behaviors","volume":"30","author":"Carcamo-oyarzun","year":"2025","journal-title":"Phys. Educ. Sport Pedagog."},{"key":"ref12","first-page":"370","article-title":"Relationship between physical activity and sleep recommendations compliance and excess weight among school children from Temuco, Chile","volume":"119","author":"Ceppi-Larra\u00edna","year":"2021","journal-title":"Arch. Argent. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mhpa.2026.100803","article-title":"Modifiable determinants of adolescents\u2019 physical activity and sedentary behaviour in school, home and mixed settings: a DE-PASS systematic review and meta-analysis of self-reported data with a holistic analysis","volume":"31","author":"Ciaccioni","year":"2026","journal-title":"Ment. Health Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0278438","article-title":"The relationships between children's motor competence, physical activity, perceived motor competence, physical fitness and weight status in relation to age","volume":"18","author":"den Uil","year":"2023","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"478","DOI":"10.1249\/01.MSS.0000155391.62733.A7","article-title":"Enjoyment mediates effects of a school- based physical-activity intervention","volume":"37","author":"Dishman","year":"2005","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2375","DOI":"10.1002\/icd.2375","article-title":"Publishing child development research from around the world: an unfair playing field resulting in most of the world\u2019s child population under-represented in research","volume":"32","author":"Draper","year":"2023","journal-title":"Commentary"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4148\/2373-0994.1017","article-title":"Utilizing project-based learning to increase engagement and performance in the high school classroom","volume":"2","author":"English","year":"2018","journal-title":"Prairie J. Educ. Res."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/su142215019","article-title":"Effects of interventions based on achievement goals and self-determination theories on the intention to be physically active of physical education students: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"14","author":"Fern\u00e1ndez-Esp\u00ednola","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.intell.2021.101566","article-title":"A valid evaluation of the theory of multiple intelligences is not yet possible: problems of methodological quality for intervention studies","volume":"88","author":"Ferrero","year":"","journal-title":"Intelligence"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0249627","article-title":"Is project-based learning effective among kindergarten and elementary students? A systematic review","volume":"24","author":"Ferrero","year":"","journal-title":"PLoS Med."},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2023.1253043","article-title":"The role of motivation and emotions in physical education: understanding academic achievement and the intention to be physically active","volume":"14","author":"Fierro-Suero","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"453","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2044-8279.1994.tb01116.x","article-title":"Perceived locus of causality, goal orientations, and perceived competence in school physical education classes","volume":"64","author":"Goudas","year":"1994","journal-title":"Br. J. Educ. Psychol."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101586","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijer.2020.101586","article-title":"A review of project-based learning in higher education: student outcomes and measures","volume":"102","author":"Guo","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Res."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2014.08.013","article-title":"Do perceived autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching relate to physical education students\u2019 motivational experiences through unique pathways? Distinguishing between the bright and dark side of motivation","volume":"16","author":"Haerens","year":"2015","journal-title":"Psychol. Sport Exerc."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fspor.2025.1629138","article-title":"Psychometric validation of the Czech PLOC-R in high-school physical education","volume":"7","author":"Harbichov\u00e1","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Sports Act. Living"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2023.1266740","article-title":"Body-related concerns and participation in physical education among adolescent students: the mediating role of motivation","volume":"14","author":"Haug","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1177\/0031512516653370","article-title":"Perceived autonomy support and behavioral engagement in physical Education: comment on Yoo","volume":"123","author":"Hein","year":"2016","journal-title":"Percept. Mot. Skills"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1177\/1356336X04040618","article-title":"Intention to be physically active after school graduation and its relationship to three types of intrinsic motivation","volume":"10","author":"Hein","year":"2004","journal-title":"Eur. Phys. Educ. Rev."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.32996\/jeltal","article-title":"Unravelling the effect of project- based learning on students\u2019 engagement and interest in","volume":"7","author":"Hind","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. English Lang. Teach. Appl. Linguist."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1080\/1612197X.2022.2043926","article-title":"Students\u2019 efficacy profiles and outcomes of perceived relation-inferred self-efficacy support in physical education","volume":"21","author":"Hsu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Sport Exerc. Psychol."},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.03091","article-title":"Effects of an autonomy-supportive physical activity program for compensatory care students during recess time","volume":"10","author":"Hu\u00e9scar","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1123\/jsep.35.1.72","article-title":"Students\u2019 tripartite efficacy beliefs in high school physical Education: within- and cross-domain relations with motivational processes and leisure-time physical activity","volume":"35","author":"Jackson","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Sport Exerc. Psychol."},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"74","DOI":"10.16926\/par.2020.08.09","article-title":"The efficacy of self determination theory-based interventions in increasing students\u2019 physical activity: a systematic review","volume":"8","author":"Juwono","year":"2020","journal-title":"Phys. Act. Rev."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2567322","DOI":"10.1080\/21642850.2025.2567322","article-title":"An empirical ranking of the importance of the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity","volume":"13","author":"Klopp","year":"2025","journal-title":"Health Psychol. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19136-y","article-title":"DE - PASS best evidence statement (BESt): determinants of adolescents\u2019 device - based physical activity and sedentary behaviour in settings: a systematic review and meta\u2014analysis","volume":"24","author":"Kolovelonis","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1505710","article-title":"Autonomy support, basic needs satisfaction, and involvement in physical education among Norwegian secondary school students","volume":"15","author":"Lang\u00f8y","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tate.2020.103247","article-title":"Self-determination theory in physical education: a systematic review of qualitative studies","volume":"99","author":"Lee","year":"2021","journal-title":"Teach. Teach. Educ."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/00220973.2024.2401882","article-title":"Brief research report: the relationship between college instructor affect and autonomy- supportive teaching brief research report: the relationship between college instructor affect and autonomy-supportive teaching","author":"Lee","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Exp. Educ."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/sports11110222","article-title":"Pre-event self-efficacy and sports performance: a systematic review with Meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Lochbaum","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sports"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.11621\/pir.2025.0107","article-title":"Self-efficacy in high-performance sports: a systematic review and Meta-analysis","volume":"18","author":"L\u00f3pez-Rodr\u00edguez","year":"2025","journal-title":"Psychol. Russia"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2027","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2016.1149608","article-title":"Identifying profiles of actual and perceived motor competence among adolescents: associations with motivation, physical activity, and sports participation","volume":"34","author":"Meester","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"280","DOI":"10.1080\/02701367.2000.10608908","article-title":"The relation of self-efficacy measures to sport performance: a meta-analytic review","volume":"71","author":"Moritz","year":"2000","journal-title":"Res. Q. Exerc. Sport"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"973","DOI":"10.13189\/saj.2026.140410","article-title":"Autonomy-supportive teaching in physical education: effects on physical literacy, motivation, and physical activity","volume":"14","author":"Palmizal","year":"2026","journal-title":"Int. J. Hum. Mov. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-025-02529-y","article-title":"How does physical exercise influence self- efficacy in adolescents? A study based on the mediating role of psychological resilience","volume":"13","author":"Peng","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Psychol."},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"726","DOI":"10.1037\/ccp0000501","article-title":"Self-determination theory interventions for health behavior change: Meta-analysis and Meta-analytic structural equation modeling of randomized controlled trials","volume":"88","author":"Sheeran","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Consult. Clin. Psychol."},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1080\/02701367.2009.10599528","article-title":"Effects of teacher autonomy support and students\u2019 autonomous motivation on learning in physical Education","volume":"80","author":"Shen","year":"2009","journal-title":"Res. Q. Exerc. Sport"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"206","DOI":"10.6007\/IJARPED\/v14-i1\/24282","article-title":"Implementations of project based learning in primary schools","volume":"14","author":"Sirwesvary","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Acad. Res. Prog. Educ. Dev."},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1123\/jsep.30.1.75","article-title":"A self-determination theory approach to understanding the antecedents of teachers\u2019 motivational strategies in physical Education","volume":"30","author":"Taylor","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Sport Exerc. Psychol."},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.1037\/a0030632","article-title":"Physical activity motivation and behavior across the transition to university","volume":"2","author":"Ullrich-french","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sport Exerc. Perform. Psychol."},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1444","DOI":"10.1037\/edu0000420","article-title":"Self-determination theory applied to physical education: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"112","author":"Vasconcellos","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Educ. Psychol."},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1007\/s10648-024-09864-3","article-title":"The effects of problem-based, project-based, and case-based learning on students\u2019 motivation: a meta-analysis","volume":"36","author":"Wijnia","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Psychol. Rev."},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"612","DOI":"10.1007\/s12662-021-00789-5","article-title":"Translation and validation of an extended German-language version of the perceived locus of causality questionnaire (PLOCQ-G) in a sample of physical education students","volume":"12","author":"Wolf","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ger. J. Exerc. Sport Res."},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2023.1202728","article-title":"A study of the impact of project-based learning on student learning effects: a meta-analysis study","volume":"14","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1915768\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T04:29:11Z","timestamp":1790569751000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1915768\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"references-count":54,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1915768"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1915768","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"article-number":"1915768"}}