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<b>Background: </b>Physical education (PE) learning engagement is critical for university students’ physical and mental well-being, yet participation rates remain alarmingly low. Reports show that only 23.8% of Chinese university students meet national fitness standards, underscoring the urgent need to enhance PE engagement. <b>Purpose:</b> Explores the relationship between teacher support and Chinese college students' PE learning engagement through the serial mediation effects of basic psychological needs and academic self-efficacy. <b>Method: </b>A quantitative study using Structural Equation Model was conducted to investigate the serial mediation effects among 2,625 students from various regions and school types.