Characteristics of Physical Activities and Environmental Factor Preferences of Older Adults in Rural Resettlement Community in Ningbo, China

Abstract

As physical mobility declines, older adults become increasingly dependent on their living environment. The relationship between physical activities and community environments for older adults has been studied to help promote physical and mental health and increase social connections among older adults, thereby improving their quality of life and health status. This study analyzed the daily outdoor physical activities of older adults in Nanyu New Village, China, using behavior mapping and questionnaire research for data collection, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the spatial, temporal, and environmental elements of the physical activities. This research showed that the physical activity choices of older adults in rural resettlement neighborhoods vary significantly by time, gender, and space. In decreasing order, surrounding support, site security, space convenience, beautiful landscape, and diverse facilities influence the outdoor physical activities of older adults. This study provides new insights into the ongoing debate on age-friendly communities and provides a useful reference for the design of age-friendly retrofitting of outdoor environments in rural resettlement communities.