{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T06:21:39Z","timestamp":1783059699983,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":59,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783036800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>While the positive association between physical exercise and depressive symptoms (as an indicator of mental health) is well-established, existing research lacks a dynamic life-course and socio-generational perspective. It remains unclear how these associations evolve across different ages, historical periods, and birth cohorts, and how they are moderated by structural factors such as the urban\u2013rural divide.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Utilizing pooled cross-sectional data from five waves (2010\u20132017) of the China General Social Survey (CGSS) with 28,618 valid adult samples, this study employs a Hierarchical Age-Period-Cohort Cross-Classified Random Effects Model (HAPC-CCREM) to disentangle age, period, and cohort patterns.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The advantage associated with regular physical exercise in terms of depressive symptoms exhibits a non-linear age pattern suggestive of a U-shape, being strongest among younger and older adults but attenuated during middle age. Cohort analysis reveals that earlier-born cohorts show a stronger positive association between exercise and fewer depressive symptoms. This positive association declined with socio-economic development but shows a resurgence among the post-1990s cohort, suggesting possible links to socio-economic development and shifting values. Urban\u2013rural disparities significantly moderate this association: urban residents exhibit a stronger positive association and more effective stress-alleviating patterns from exercise, whereas the corresponding association for rural residents is comparatively limited.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The positive psychological correlates of physical exercise with respect to depressive symptoms are not static but are dynamically shaped by individual life stages and macro-social transformations. In the context of China\u2019s transition towards post-materialist values, the role of exercise may be shifting from a \u201cluxury enhancer\u201d to a \u201cnecessary support.\u201d Future public health strategies should adopt a differentiated approach, considering life-course stages, cohort experiences, and urban\u2013rural structural contexts to implement precise mental health promotion strategies (i.e., reducing depressive symptoms).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1869282","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T05:40:24Z","timestamp":1783057224000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The dynamic association between physical exercise and depressive symptoms in China: an age-period-cohort analysis using the HAPC-CCREM and the moderating role of urban\u2013rural disparities"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Fuxiang","family":"Yu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Business School, Hangzhou City University","place":["Hangzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Long","family":"Niu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Sport, Xi\u2019an Jiaotong University","place":["Xi\u2019an, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Boyang","family":"He","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Sport, Xi\u2019an Jiaotong University","place":["Xi\u2019an, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ningyi","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport","place":["Shanghai, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ce","family":"Guo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport","place":["Shanghai, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1562434","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1562434","article-title":"Age-dependent mechanisms of exercise in the treatment of depression: a comprehensive review of physiological and psychological pathways","volume":"16","author":"Xue","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67244","DOI":"10.12775\/pps.2025.28.67244","article-title":"The mechanistic pathways linking exercise to neuroprotection and mental health: construction and elaboration of an integrative theoretical model","volume":"28","author":"Yan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Pedagogy Psychol. Sport"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2759","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms26062759","article-title":"Rethinking depression\u2014beyond neurotransmitters: an integrated psychoneuroendocrineimmunology framework for depression\u2019s pathophysiology and tailored treatment","volume":"26","author":"Bottaccioli","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ausmj.2018.10.012","article-title":"Social capital and health risk: an integrative review","volume":"27","author":"Yap","year":"2019","journal-title":"Australas Mark J"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"320","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2020.11.016","article-title":"Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: a multi-country cross-sectional analysis","volume":"24","author":"Faulkner","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Sci Med Sport"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-26603-9_16","volume-title":"Dynamic Demographic Analysis","author":"Schulhofer-Wohl","year":"2016"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.3390\/sports12010037","article-title":"Sporting mind: the interplay of physical activity and psychological health","volume":"12","author":"Mart\u00edn-Rodr\u00edguez","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sports"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1678367","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1678367","article-title":"The long-term mental health benefits of exercise training for physical education students: a comprehensive review of neurobiological, psychological, and social effects","volume":"16","author":"Ma","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Psych"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1050208","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2022.1050208","article-title":"Health benefits of physical activity for people with mental disorders: from the perspective of multidimensional subjective wellbeing","volume":"13","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Psych"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e33475","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.33475","article-title":"Role of physical activity on mental health and well-being: a review","volume":"15","author":"Mahindru","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1186\/s12868-022-00723-x","article-title":"Chronic, acute and protocol-dependent effects of exercise on psycho-physiological health during long-term isolation and confinement","volume":"23","author":"Abeln","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Neurosci"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"780059","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.780059","article-title":"Enjoyment as a predictor of exercise habit, intention to continue exercising, and exercise frequency: the intensity traits discrepancy moderation role","volume":"13","author":"Teixeira","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2786","DOI":"10.11594\/ijmaber.04.08.18","article-title":"Physical activity engagement across human life cycles: a scoping review","volume":"4","author":"Castro","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int J Multidiscipl App Bus Educ Res"},{"key":"ref14","first-page":"1","volume-title":"Sport and Physical Activity across the Lifespan: Critical Perspectives","author":"Dionigi","year":"2017"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1186\/s13102-016-0031-3","article-title":"Age profiles of sport participants","volume":"8","author":"Eime","year":"2016","journal-title":"BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101080","DOI":"10.1016\/j.orgdyn.2024.101080","article-title":"Psychological, physical, and social capitals: a balanced approach for more effective human capital in today\u2019s organizations and life","volume":"53","author":"Luthans","year":"2024","journal-title":"Organ Dyn"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e42195","DOI":"10.2196\/42195","article-title":"Facilitators and barriers of tai chi practice in community-dwelling older adults: qualitative study","volume":"7","author":"Du","year":"2023","journal-title":"Asian Pac Isl Nurs J"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"581","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cnur.2020.07.002","article-title":"Health benefits of tai chi exercise: a guide for nurses","volume":"55","author":"Miller","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nurs Clin North Am"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S163","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2009-1100D","article-title":"Health disparities beginning in childhood: a life-course perspective","volume":"124","author":"Braveman","year":"2009","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"ref20","volume-title":"Training the Body for China: Sports in the Moral Order of the People's Republic","author":"Brownell","year":"1995"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1390","DOI":"10.1080\/09523367.2019.1704268","article-title":"An historical review of mass sports policy development in China, 1949\u20132009","volume":"36","author":"Zhang","year":"1949","journal-title":"Int J Hist Sport"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1071","DOI":"10.1080\/09523367.2015.1036240","article-title":"The transformation of China's national fitness policy: from a major sports country to a world sports power","volume":"32","author":"Tan","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int J Hist Sport"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.1177\/1012690208089836","article-title":"The evolution of urban society and social changes in sports participation at the grassroots in China","volume":"42","author":"Xiong","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int Rev Sociol Sport"},{"key":"ref24","volume-title":"China's Economic Ascendance: A Journey through China's Economic Transformation","author":"Williams","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref25","first-page":"184","volume-title":"Work and Leisure","author":"Iso-Ahola","year":"2004"},{"key":"ref26","volume-title":"Youth Cultures in China","author":"De Kloet","year":"2016"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100198","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajss.2025.100198","article-title":"Beyond resistance and resignation: a narrative inquiry into the \u201clying flat\u201d movement and the reimagining of work, success, and autonomy among Chinese urban youth","volume":"53","author":"Sun","year":"2025","journal-title":"Asian J Soc Sci"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3319","DOI":"10.18203\/2394-6040.ijcmph20242197","article-title":"Sustaining mental health amidst high-pressure job scenarios: a narrative review","volume":"11","author":"Kumar","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int J Community Med Public Health"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cities.2018.03.017","article-title":"The changing rural-urban divide in China's megacities","volume":"81","author":"Chen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Cities"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1071245","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.1071245","article-title":"Inverted U-shaped relationship between education and family health: the urban-rural gap in Chinese dual society","volume":"10","author":"Jia","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1259204","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1259204","article-title":"Differences in the influence of daily behavior on health among older adults in urban and rural areas: evidence from China","volume":"11","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-024-04776-x","article-title":"Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review","volume":"24","author":"Song","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"897","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph15050897","article-title":"Neighbourhood built environment influences on physical activity among adults: a systematized review of qualitative evidence","volume":"15","author":"Salvo","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6562","DOI":"10.3390\/su14116562","article-title":"The effect of built environment on older people leisure-time walking and physical activity in different sex groups in the City of Ningbo, China","volume":"14","author":"Gao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"303","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20010303","article-title":"Physical exercise, social capital, hope, and subjective well-being in China: a parallel mediation analysis","volume":"20","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2020.01.152","article-title":"Influence of physical exercise on social anxiety of left-behind children in rural areas in China: the mediator and moderator role of perceived social support","volume":"266","author":"Ren","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Affect Disord"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1475321","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1475321","article-title":"Study on the impact of rural public sports facilities and instructors on residents\u2019 participation in sports activities in China","volume":"13","author":"Guo","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref38","first-page":"1223","article-title":"The situation and counter measures of sports development in new rural communities under the strategy of rural revitalization in China","author":"Chen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Forest Chemicals Rev"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.2224\/sbp.13134","article-title":"Chinese residents\u2019 socioeconomic status, depression, and well-being in life: analysis based on the China general social survey 2018","volume":"52","author":"Wu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Soc Behav Personal Int J"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1383512","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1383512","article-title":"Age, period, cohort effects in trends of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Chinese adults","volume":"12","author":"Hu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"992","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-024-05576-z","article-title":"Study on the age-period-cohort effects of cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults based on the cognitive reserve hypothesis","volume":"24","author":"Yang","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1680077","DOI":"10.3389\/fsoc.2025.1680077","article-title":"The dynamic impact of higher education on youth employment opportunities and quality: an empirical analysis based on age-period-cohort models","volume":"10","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Sociol"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.1177\/00221465211066108","article-title":"Structural racism and quantitative causal inference: a life course mediation framework for decomposing racial health disparities","volume":"63","author":"Graetz","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Health Soc Behav"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S14","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jadohealth.2022.08.015","article-title":"Exposure to violence and victimization: reflections on 25 years of research from the national longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health","volume":"71","author":"Turanovic","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Adolesc Health"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1525811","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1525811","article-title":"The relationship between physical exercise and social adjustment in Chinese university students: the sequential mediating effect of peer attachment and self-esteem","volume":"16","author":"Xing","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.46827\/ejpe.v12i4.5949","article-title":"Navigating the complex interplay of identity and social hierarchy within the diverse running community: a sociological analysis","volume":"12","author":"Monte","year":"2025","journal-title":"Euro J Physical Educ Sport Sci"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"308","DOI":"10.1111\/jomf.12531","article-title":"Harried and unhealthy? Parenthood, time pressure, and mental health","volume":"81","author":"Ruppanner","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Marriage Fam"},{"key":"ref48","first-page":"938","article-title":"Walking patterns and cognitive performance in tai chi experts: exploring the connection to motor control","volume":"25","author":"Lopez","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Phys Educ Sport"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2596","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2008.02.012","article-title":"How socio-economic status contributes to participation in leisure-time physical activity","volume":"66","author":"Cerin","year":"2008","journal-title":"Soc Sci Med"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1108\/cpe-05-2020-0010","article-title":"Structural changes and economic growth in China over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up","volume":"3","author":"Liu","year":"2020","journal-title":"China Polit Econ"},{"key":"ref51","first-page":"1","article-title":"The leisure theory of value: a review essay on time for things: labor, leisure, and the rise of mass consumption, by Stephen D. Rosenberg. Cambridge: Harvard University press. 2021","author":"Carruthers","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Polit Cult Soc"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/13573322.2025.2495054","article-title":"The influence of the collision of Western and Confucian cultures on the embodied experience of Chinese fitness enthusiasts","author":"Yu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sport Educ Soc"},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E150","DOI":"10.15167\/2421-4248\/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2756","article-title":"Physical activity for health","volume":"63","author":"Dhuli","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Prev Med Hyg"},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1514","DOI":"10.1111\/phn.13416","article-title":"Different impacts of physical activity on health in urban and rural older adults","volume":"41","author":"Lin","year":"2024","journal-title":"Public Health Nurs"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.3390\/su17010263","article-title":"A study on the impact of a community green space built environment on physical activity in older people from a health perspective: a case study of Qingshan District, Wuhan","volume":"17","author":"Shen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2361","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19733-x","article-title":"The interplay between social environment and opportunities for physical activity within the built environment: a scoping review","volume":"24","author":"H\u00f8yer-Kruse","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.3390\/land10020175","article-title":"Decoding the street-based spatiality of urban gyms: implications for healthy city planning","volume":"10","author":"Jing","year":"2021","journal-title":"Land"},{"key":"ref58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1080\/1937156x.2023.2166434","article-title":"Building sense of belonging through informal recreation participation","volume":"39","author":"Eubank","year":"2024","journal-title":"Schole"},{"key":"ref59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14884","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph192214884","article-title":"Perceived constraints on active recreational sport participation among residents in urban China","volume":"19","author":"Lin","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1869282\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T05:40:28Z","timestamp":1783057228000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1869282\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"references-count":59,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1869282"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1869282","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"article-number":"1869282"}}