Physical exercise frequency and subjective well-being among older adults in China: a cross-sectional analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: This study examined the association between physical exercise frequency and subjective well-being among older adults in China and investigated the parallel mediating roles of self-rated health and lower depressive mood. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey and included 1,872 adults aged 60 years or older. The outcome variable was subjective well-being, the primary explanatory variable was physical exercise frequency, and the mediators were self-rated health and lower depressive mood, with the latter measured by reverse-coding the frequency of feeling depressed or downhearted during the previous four weeks. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine the association between exercise frequency and subjective well-being. Ordered probit regression, binary logistic regression, recoding of the primary explanatory variable, and propensity score matching were conducted as robustness checks. Bootstrap procedures were used to test parallel mediation effects, and subgroup differences by age, sex, co-residence with a spouse, and subjective household economic status were examined. Results: After adjustment for relevant covariates, higher physical exercise frequency was significantly associated with greater subjective well-being (β = 0.0526, p < 0.01), and this association remained stable across robustness checks. The positive association was more pronounced among adults aged 70 years or older, men, those co-residing with a spouse, and those reporting higher subjective household economic status. The indirect effect through self-rated health was 0.0045, accounting for 7.32% of the total association (95% CI: 0.0014-0.0076), while the indirect effect through lower depressive mood was 0.0044, accounting for 7.15% (95% CI: 0.0004-0.0084). Together, the two mediating pathways accounted for 14.47% of the total association, whereas the direct association accounted for 85.53%. Conclusion: Higher leisure-time physical exercise frequency was associated with greater subjective well-being among older adults in China, with self-rated health and lower depressive mood serving as important mediating pathways. Expanding access to safe, appropriate, and sustainable exercise opportunities, particularly for older adults with limited family support or socioeconomic resources, may contribute to improved well-being in later life.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Yanhong Wu, Ao Wang, Ziliang Wen
Institutions: City University of Macau, Southwest University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7212009831
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