Work

Longitudinal associations among exercise atmosphere, physical self-esteem, and aging attitudes in older adults

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Physical self-esteem and aging attitudes are two key psychological factors associated with well-being in older adults. While previous research has emphasized the role of exercise in promoting healthy aging, how these factors dynamically interact within varying exercise environments remains underexplored. This study employed a three-wave random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) to examine within-person and between-person associations among exercise atmosphere, physical self-esteem, and aging attitudes in 697 Chinese older adults. Results showed that individuals who generally perceived a more favorable exercise atmosphere also reported more positive aging attitudes at the between-person level. At the within-person level, however, deviations in exercise atmosphere were not significantly associated with subsequent deviations in aging attitudes. Conversely, more positive aging attitudes predicted subsequent improvements in perceived exercise atmosphere. Bidirectional effects were also found between exercise atmosphere and physical self-esteem, indicating a reinforcing relationship. These findings underscore the importance of targeting aging attitudes to support sustained engagement in physical activity among older adults.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-08355-0

Authors: Chang Hu, Yuhan Chen, Xi Wang, Shu Wen

Institutions: Wuhan College, Wuhan City Polytechnic, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Kyrgyz National University

Language: English

Topic: Aging and Gerontology Research

Subfield: Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190