Physical Exercise, Sports Spectating, and Subjective Life Expectancy in Older Chinese Adults: A Chain Mediation Analysis

BACKGROUND: Participation in sports can influence subjective life expectancy (SLE) among older Chinese adults, yet differences between direct physical exercise and indirect engagement through spectating are not well understood. This study distinguishes the effects of physical exercise and sports spectating-further differentiating online from offline viewing-on older adults' SLE, and examines the mediating roles of social integration and health status. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 693 Chinese adults aged 60 and above was analyzed using mediation models. RESULTS: Physical exercise was positively associated with SLE both directly (effect = 0.042, 95% CI [0.002, 0.081]) and indirectly through enhanced social integration and improved health (effect = 0.016, 95% CI [0.016, 0.038]). Offline sports viewing also produced indirect benefits via social interaction and health improvement, whereas online spectating influenced SLE mainly through health gains (effect = 0.013, 95% CI [0.004, 0.024]) with minimal impact on social integration (effect = 0.001, 95% CI [-0.005, 0.006]). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct and indirect forms of sports participation differentially shape older adults' SLE, with offline engagement offering greater benefits through social pathways. These findings have implications for aging policy, suggesting that interventions promoting physically active and socially interactive sports engagement may support more positive life expectancy perceptions in later life.