Heterogeneity among exercise participants: latent profile analysis and differential persistence pathways based on the pressure-support-motivation (PSM) framework

Aojie Feng, Liwen Fan, Yuxuan Li, Zhifeng Zhao

Background Early dropout remains a major challenge in exercise adherence. Most existing studies adopt variable-centered approaches that overlook individual heterogeneity in psychological resources. This study aimed to identify distinct latent profiles of exercise participants and examine how the relationships between appearance anxiety, social support, and motivational resources with exercise persistence differ across profiles. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 625 Chinese adults aged 18–45 who exercised at least once per week. Integrating Objectified Body Consciousness Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, we proposed a Pressure-Support-Motivation (PSM) framework. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed using six indicators: appearance anxiety, social support, autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, body esteem, and hedonic motivation. Multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was subsequently used to compare path coefficients across profiles. Results LPA identified four distinct profiles: Intrinsically Driven (28.3%), Anxiety-Transformed (24.2%), Socially Dependent (26.1%), and Motivation-Deficient (21.4%). Exercise persistence differed significantly across profiles, with the Intrinsically Driven group showing the highest levels and the Motivation-Deficient group the lowest. Multi-group SEM revealed differentiated mechanisms: body esteem and hedonic motivation showed stronger associations with persistence in the Intrinsically Driven profile; self-efficacy and autonomous motivation were most strongly linked in the Anxiety-Transformed profile, where appearance anxiety was positively associated with persistence; social support had the strongest direct association with persistence in the Socially Dependent profile; and most paths were weak or non-significant in the Motivation-Deficient profile. Conclusion This study demonstrates substantial heterogeneity in the psychological drivers of exercise persistence. The findings provide preliminary profile-based evidence for the PSM framework and highlight the conditional role of appearance anxiety. Practically, the results support the development of tailored, profile-specific interventions and the design of adaptive digital health tools to improve long-term exercise adherence.