Sport participation and healthy aging among older adults: a social ecological analysis of individual, contextual, and policy mechanisms

Abstract

Population aging has made healthy aging a key public health priority. This study examined the association between sport participation and healthy aging among older adults and explored its social ecological mechanisms. Data from 6,482 adults aged 60 years and above were analyzed. Healthy aging was measured using a multidimensional index covering physical, psychological, cognitive, social and functional domains. Multivariable regression, mediation analysis, moderation analysis, subgroup analysis and robustness checks were conducted. Sport participation was positively associated with healthy aging after adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, health-related and ecological factors. The association showed a dose-response pattern and was partly mediated by physical function, psychological resources, social support and community activity environment. Community resources strengthened this association, while stronger effects were observed among rural, low-income, less educated, older-old and living-alone groups. The results suggest that sport participation is closely related to healthy aging through individual and social ecological pathways. Age-friendly sport environments and targeted community support may help promote healthy aging among vulnerable older adults.