The chain mediating role of self-efficacy and cognitive function in the relationship between physical exercise and active aging: A cross-sectional study.

Physical exercise had a significant positive effect on active aging and its four dimensions in older adults.

• Cross-sectional survey conducted among 280 older adults in Hangzhou, China
• Mean age of participants was 71.15 years; 54.3% male
• Variables assessed using the Physical Activity Rating Scale and Active Aging Questionnaire
• A multiple mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS

Self-efficacy and cognitive function were found to play serial multiple mediating roles in the relationship between physical exercise and active aging.

• The mediation model tested both self-efficacy and cognitive function as mediators simultaneously in a chain/serial mediation framework
• Self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale
• Cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
• The serial mediation pathway suggests physical exercise influences self-efficacy, which in turn influences cognitive function, ultimately affecting active aging

Higher levels of physical exercise were associated with higher self-efficacy, which may help prevent or delay cognitive decline and contribute to higher levels of active aging.

• The proposed mechanism is that physical exercise enhances self-efficacy in daily life among older adults
• Increased self-efficacy was posited to help prevent or delay cognitive decline
• This chain of effects ultimately contributed to higher levels of active aging
• The study sample consisted of 280 older adults with a mean age of 71.15 years