Physical exercise and sense of social responsibility among Chinese residents: potential explanatory roles of social capital and subjective wellbeing

Introduction Physical exercise (PE) may have broader social implications beyond its established health benefits, but its association with residents’ sense of social responsibility (SSR) remains underexplored. This study examines the association between PE and SSR among Chinese residents and investigates the potential explanatory roles of social capital and subjective wellbeing, providing evidence on the broader social significance of everyday exercise behavior. Methods This cross-sectional observational study used data from the nationally representative China General Social Survey (CGSS) 2023. After sample screening, 5,290 valid observations were retained. Multiple linear regression, ordered probit models, subgroup analyses, stepwise regression, and bootstrap analysis with 5,000 resamples were used to examine the PE–SSR association, assess its robustness and heterogeneity, and test potential explanatory pathways involving social trust, social interaction, social support, and subjective wellbeing. Results PE was positively associated with SSR, and the association remained robust across alternative model specifications, different measures of PE, and additional covariate adjustments. Subgroup analyses showed variation across gender, household registration, and income groups, with relatively stronger associations among females, urban residents, and middle-income respondents. Further analyses indicated that social trust, social support, and subjective wellbeing statistically accounted for part of the association between PE and SSR, whereas social interaction did not. Bootstrap results were consistent with the stepwise regression findings. Conclusion PE was positively associated with SSR among Chinese residents, while social trust, social support, and subjective wellbeing may represent potential explanatory pathways in this association. These findings extend understanding of the social relevance of physical exercise beyond conventional health outcomes and suggest that PE may constitute an important everyday behavioral context for understanding social responsibility. Given the cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as statistical associations rather than causal relationships.