Foregrounding motivational climate in university physical education: a mixed-methods latent profile analysis with classroom prescriptions

Findings position motivational climate as a key lever for improving Chinese university PE and provide a profile-informed implementation pathway. We recommend a classroom prescription combining tiered tasks, structured choice, and low-threat, progress-referenced formative assessment with explanatory feedback. Implementation should prioritize first-year classes and female students, consolidate through self-monitoring and peer assessment, and scale via structured autonomy and resource optimization.