The behavior model of psychological contract between sports teachers and undergraduate students in China

The reform and development of education has led to the concept of “students” as the main concern, which indicates the significance of the studies on the factors that influence students' learning in sports education. This study explores the influence of sports teachers' behavior on students' learning motivation and behavior in colleges and universities. It constructs a behavioral model of psychological contract between physical education teachers and undergraduate students in China. The results reveal that teachers' behavior has a significant impact on students' behavior based on the psychological contract between teachers and students. Learning motivation has a mediating effect on the relationship between teachers' teaching behavior and students' learning behavior. The practical implications of this study include strengthening the communications between physical education teachers and undergraduate students, encouraging teachers to implement the physical education curriculum better, and improving the teaching quality of physical education in universities. •Learning motivation mediates teachers' teaching and students' learning relationship.•Findings can improve the teaching quality of physical education in universities.•Students’ learning motivation positively impacts their learning behavior.