Physical activity's impact on rural older adult health: The multiple mediating effects of education, income, and psychological capital

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to explore the influence mechanism of rural older adult health. By examining the mediating roles of education, income, and psychological capital in physical activity's impact on health, this study provides a reference for lifestyle interventions to improve the health level of rural older adults. METHODS: The analysis was conducted on a sample of 1778 rural older adults from CGSS2017, and data were analyzed using PROCESS V4.2 for multiple mediating effects. RESULTS: The findings indicate that physical activity impacts rural older adult health through multiple mediating pathways. The mediating role includes seven paths, comprising the independent effects of three mediating variables of income, education, and psychological capital, and the chain mediating effects generated together. DISCUSSION: Based on the influence mechanism of health on rural older adults, optimizing policy focus and developing a precise, interconnected, and sustainable health security system for older adults is necessary. These research results are of practical significance for advancing healthy aging in rural areas.