The aim of this study was to test the perceptions of leisure boredom and predictive power for motivations for participation in physical activity and presenteeism perceptions and analyze the effects among university students. Additionally, a secondary aim was to reveal whether perceptions of leisure boredom, physical activity motivation and presenteeism differed according to some variables or not. In line with these aims, a total of 517 students attending different universities in Türkiye and volunteering to participate in the research completed the Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS), Motivation Scale for Participation in Physical Activity (MSPPA) and Presenteeism Scale for Adults (PSA). The data underwent correlation, regression, MANOVA and ANOVA using the SPSS program. According to regression analysis, the LBS boredom subscale predicted the PSA completing work and avoiding distraction subscales; while it significantly predicted the MSPPA subscales of individual reasons and lack of reasons. Additionally, the LBS satisfaction subscale appeared to significantly predict the PSA completing work and MSPPA individual reasons, environmental reasons and lack of reasons subscales. The research findings identified significant differences according to sex, membership status and physical activity participation variables. In conclusion, the physical activity motivation and presenteeism of university students were identified to be associated with perceived boredom during leisure, and it may be said that leisure perceptions affect important areas of life (like health and education).