Effect of Environmental and Intrapersonal Factors on Leisure-Time Physical Activity of Chinese Rural Older People in Zhejiang Province

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is crucial for older adults' health.
• Understanding factors influencing LTPA in older populations is essential for targeted interventions.
• The built environment and intrapersonal factors may play significant roles in promoting physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between the built environment and intrapersonal factors with LTPA in older adults.
• To investigate the moderating role of intrapersonal factors on the built environment-LTPA association.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 514 older adults in Fuwen village.
• Data collected on LTPA, intrapersonal factors (social, fitness, medical, benefits/challenges, recognition), and built environment perceptions (traffic safety, street connectivity, walking facilities, access to services, crime safety, aesthetics, residential density, land use mix diversity).
• Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to analyze associations.

Main Results:

• Higher fitness levels were positively associated with LTPA (p=0.012).
• Positive associations were found between LTPA and perceived traffic safety (p=0.02) and crime safety (p=0.047).
• Walking facilities showed a negative association with LTPA (p=0.007), and fitness moderated this relationship (p=0.025).

Conclusions:

• Older adults' LTPA is influenced by intrapersonal factors like fitness and built environment perceptions such as traffic and crime safety.
• Interventions should consider both individual characteristics and environmental design to promote physical activity in older populations.
• Findings support the development of age-friendly, ecologically livable villages to enhance physical activity opportunities.