Author(s)

Yi Cheng

Affiliation(s)

Woosuk University, Jeonju 55338, South Korea.

Corresponding Author

Yi Cheng

ABSTRACT

This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative research designs, to investigate the influence of physical activity participation on health perception among older adults in China. The qualitative component utilizes grounded theory, drawing upon online textual data related to 'exercise and health in later life'. Through three stages of coding—open, axial, and selective—four primary categories were extracted, namely scientific exercise, physical condition, economic factors, and personal preferences. These were further abstracted into three overarching dimensions: psychological health, physiological status, and social context. Based on this process, a theoretical framework was developed to illustrate the relationship between exercise participation and health perception among elderly individuals. The quantitative component employed a structured survey with 129 Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above. Physical activity participation, social support, and health perception were measured using the PARS-3 scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and a health perception scale, respectively. Findings revealed a positive correlation between the degree of exercise participation and health perception, while social support emerged as a critical mediating variable in this relationship. By adopting a mixed-methods design, this research provides a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between exercise engagement, social support, and health perception among Chinese elderly populations. The results not only contribute theoretical insights to gerontology, kinesiology, and health psychology, but also offer empirical evidence for promoting active aging and enhancing public health strategies for older adults in China.

KEYWORDS

Older adults; Physical activity participation; Health perception; Social support; Mixed-methods research

CITE THIS PAPER

Yi Cheng. A mixed-methods study on the influence of physical activity participation on health perception among Chinese older adults. Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities Research. 2025, 3(5): 41-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/tsshr3171.

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