The Effects of Blended Learning on Learning Engagement in Physical Education Among University Students in China: The Mediating Role of Attitudes

Under the pedagogical concept of sustainable development, an increasing number of interdisciplinary pedagogies are being applied in physical education, moving away from traditional face-to-face teaching methods. This study investigated the influence of blended learning on students’ engagement in physical education and the role of attitudes in this process. A questionnaire was used to validate the model based on a comprehensive literature review. PLS-SEM was used to assess the direct relationship between blended learning and learning engagement in physical education and the mediating influence of attitudes toward blended learning on these factors. The findings revealed that face-to-face sessions and students’ attitude toward blended learning positively affect their engagement in physical education. The results also indicated that students’ attitudes significantly mediate course design, learning experience, and face-to-face sessions with learning engagement. Based on the variable relationship, this study proposes a blended learning strategy rooted in the Five-star Teaching Model. By stimulating students’ initiative in learning, their attitude improved, enhancing their engagement in physical education classes. This research holds both theoretical and practical significance by improving the quality of physical education teaching and learning methods, offering novel insights into instruction in this field.