This study analyzes the mediating role of exercise tasks and barrier efficacy in the relationship between peer support and physical activity among college students. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1047 college students using the Peer Support Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, and Physical Activity Scale. Our analysis revealed that compared with female students, male students reported significantly higher in peer support, exercise self-efficacy, and physical activity. The data indicated that the model demonstrated good fit indices, with cmin/df = 7.763, CFI = 0.926, and RMSEA = 0.080, p < 0.001. Peer support not only directly and positively predicts college students’ physical activity but also indirectly promotes it through the dual mediating pathways of exercise task efficacy and barrier efficacy, with task efficacy exerting the predominant mediating effect. College administrators and sports practitioners should enhance task efficacy, integrate barrier training, and restructure peer support for better health interventions.
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