The impact of social activities and physical exercise on arterial stiffness (AIP) among older Chinese adults from CHARLS

The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a biomarker reflecting lipid metabolism and atherosclerotic risk, is increasingly recognized as a critical indicator in cardiovascular health. However, the influence of social activities and physical exercise on AIP, particularly with respect to sex-specific differences, remains underexplored. This study examined these associations using data from 3278 participants aged 60 years or older in the 2015 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Results showed that sedentary social activities, such as playing Mahjong or chess, were significantly associated with elevated AIP levels, particularly in females (β = 0.043, P < .05). In contrast, vigorous physical activity significantly reduced AIP levels in both males (β = -0.089, P < .001) and females (β = -0.065, P < .01), with stronger effects observed in males. Moderate and light physical activities showed no significant associations with AIP. These findings highlight the sex-specific associations between social and physical activities and AIP levels in older adults. Public health interventions should encourage dynamic social engagement and vigorous physical exercise, tailored to gender differences, to reduce cardiovascular risk and promote arterial health.