The relationship between physical activity, physical health, and mental health among older Chinese adults: A scoping review

Abstract

The aging Chinese population is growing fast, and the proportion of the population aged 60 years old is projected to reach 28% by 2040, estimated 402 million. With increased life expectancy, the aging population tends to suffer from health risks and diseases, which create a burden on public health policy. Hence, it is essential to promote healthy and active aging, which includes improving older adults' physical and mental capacities and advocating for the achievement of a healthy life expectancy. Despite the rapidly growing aging population in China, there have been no reviews investigating the effect of physical activity on physical and mental health among older Chinese adults. Therefore, the current study aimed to review studies from the past 15 years that illustrate the effect of physical activity on physical and mental health among Chinese older adults. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this review addresses the associations between physical activity, physical health and mental health among older Chinese adults. A total of 371 studies were included in the scoping review, which covered the relationships between physical activity, physical health and mental health variables. The scoping review also revealed the impact of various kinds of physical activity affecting older adults' physical health, such as functional fitness, body composition, fall risk and balance, and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, cognitive function and quality of life. Moreover, studies have identified innovative forms of physical activity as emerging trends in physical activity interventions for older adults. To conclude, this scoping review captured the common effects between physical activity and overall wellbeing, including physical, mental, and cognitive health. Additionally, diverse forms of physical activity intervention, such as group-based and supervised individual interventions, should be supported, and cross-cultural exercise comparisons should be made in future explorations.

Associations among social participation types, mental and subjective well‐being in Chinese older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Physical activities were negatively related to depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and negative affect, while positively linked to life satisfaction and positive affect. These findings resonate with previous literature that established the positive influence of physical activities on mental and subjective well‐being outcomes, suggesting a consistent trend even during the pandemic 25 …”

“…These findings resonate with previous literature that established the positive influence of physical activities on mental and subjective well-being outcomes, suggesting a consistent trend even during the pandemic. 25 Recreational activities were negatively associated with anxiety symptoms, indicating their potential as nonpharmacological interventions in reducing anxiety among older adults. This aligns with the "distraction hypothesis," which suggests that engaging in recreational activities could distract individuals from stressors, thus reducing anxiety.…”

Effects of green space on physical activity and body weight status among Chinese adults: a systematic review

“…Obesity is associated with the development of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and has become a global epidemic and public health crisis (7,8). Previous studies have reported that chronic diseases caused by physical inactivity and obesity not only have a serious negative impact on the physical and mental health of individuals but also create a heavy burden on social development (9)(10)(11)(12). Therefore, WHO and professional health agencies expect to develop active and effective intervention policies to help people improve their PA and adopt healthy weight.…”

Effect of Elderly People’s Perceived Value on their Adherence to Outdoor Exercise: The Intermediary Role of Motivation for Active Social Adaptation

“…Meanwhile, to attract more older adults to participate in outdoor sports consistently and persistently, the plans should meet the needs of China’s aging society and take account of older adults’ motivation and demand for outdoor sports programs, venues, services, and products. 4 …”