The Effects of Physical Exercise on the Social Adaptation of Older Adults—With Reference to the Mediating Effect of Aging Identity

Maintaining social adaptation in later life has become a key challenge amid China's rapidly aging population. Using nationally representative data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS 2023), this study examined the relationship between physical exercise and social adaptation among 8913 older adults. Ordinary least squares regression and the Karlson-Holm-Breen decomposition method were applied to test both direct and mediating effects. The results showed that physical exercise significantly improved social adaptation (β = 0.452, <i>p</i> < 0.001), while aging identity played a partial mediating role, accounting for approximately 11.0% of the total effect. The association was stronger among those aged 80 and above, with lower education and income, without chronic diseases, and covered by social security. These findings suggest that physical exercise enhances social adaptation not only through physical benefits but also by strengthening psychological resilience and fostering a positive sense of aging, providing valuable evidence for developing inclusive aging policies and targeted exercise interventions.