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

Jie Shen (), Junhang Fan, Shi Wu, Xi Xu, Yuanbo Fei, Zhentian Liu and Shijia Xiong
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Jie Shen: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Junhang Fan: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Shi Wu: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Xi Xu: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Yuanbo Fei: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Zhentian Liu: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Shijia Xiong: School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: (1) Background: In the context of global population aging, how to enhance the health of older people has become a focus of attention in various fields. Although it is widely recognized that the effects of urban green space built environments on physical activity can substantially improve the health of older people, few studies have been conducted to understand the relationship between green spaces, physical activity, and the health of older people at the community level. This research gap has become a key issue hindering the sustainable development of health among the elderly. (2) Methods: This study used survey data from 1989 elderly individuals in Qingshan District, Wuhan, and applied multiple linear regression models to explore the relationship between community green space built environments and the overall intensity of physical activity, as well as the relationship with low, moderate, and high-intensity physical activity levels. (3) Results: The results show that education level, income level, health status, companionship, green view index, road cleanliness, and fitness facilities are positively correlated with the overall intensity of physical activity, while gender, age, self-assessed psychological stress, and road intersection density are negatively correlated with it. Companionship, green view index, road cleanliness, and recreational facilities are positively correlated with low-intensity physical activity levels among the elderly, while gender, income level, and fitness facilities are negatively correlated with them. Companionship, green view index, and road cleanliness are positively correlated with moderate-intensity physical activity among the elderly, while gender is negatively correlated with it. For high-intensity activities, education level and fitness facilities are positively correlated, while gender, self-assessed psychological stress, and road intersection density are negatively correlated. (4) Conclusions: Future research could expand the sample size while incorporating more longitudinal designs, expand the types of influencing factors, conduct more detailed classifications, and carry out broader data collection procedures to comprehensively analyze the effects of the community green space built environment on physical activity among older people, providing a stronger scientific basis for the formulation of healthy city policies.

Keywords: community green space; built environment; older people; physical activity; physical health; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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