In an era marked by rapid social transformation and uneven economic development, scrutinizing the complex relationship between exercise identity and physical activity has never been more critical. Recent research conducted in China offers pivotal insights into how socioeconomic status (SES) shapes individuals’ engagement in physical activities and how gender nuances this dynamic, potentially redefining public health strategies in one of the world’s most populous nations. The study, published in BMC Psychology, meticulously investigates not only participation levels in physical activity but also the underlying psychological constructs that contribute to exercise behavior, highlighting the intricate ways that SES intersects with gender to influence lifestyle choices.
Exercise identity—the degree to which individuals fundamentally view themselves as exercisers—has been advancing as a foundational concept in health psychology. This identity profoundly impacts motivation, consistency, and ultimately, the health benefits derived from physical activity. The latest findings suggest this identity is not formed in isolation but is deeply embedded within social and economic contexts. By analyzing diverse populations across different socioeconomic strata in China, researchers were able to demonstrate significant disparities in exercise identity formation, which cascade into tangible differences in physical activity levels.
China’s rapid socioeconomic shifts over the past few decades provide a unique backdrop for understanding these dynamics. Urbanization, industrial growth, and changing labor markets have created nuanced socioeconomic environments where access to fitness resources, leisure opportunities, and health literacy vary dramatically. The study underscores that individuals with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to adopt a robust exercise identity, facilitated by greater access to gyms, recreational facilities, and health-promoting social networks. Conversely, those in lower SES brackets often face structural barriers that impede the formation of a similar identity, such as longer working hours, limited access to leisure space, and fewer role models advocating for active lifestyles.
Gender emerges as a critical moderating factor in this interplay. The research reveals that men and women experience and express exercise identity differently depending on their socioeconomic background. For men, higher SES correlates strongly with stronger exercise identity and higher physical activity engagement, likely influenced by traditional male role expectations around strength and physical prowess amplified by economic means to access facilities. For women, however, the relationship is more complex, with SES influencing activity levels through additional social and cultural constraints. In some lower SES groups, women’s participation in physical activity is further diminished by entrenched gender norms that prioritize domestic responsibilities or restrict public physical expression.
This gendered disparity in exercise identity and activity hints at broader societal issues, including gender inequality in health empowerment and resource allocation. The study’s comprehensive approach employs refined psychometric assessments to quantify how these social identities coalesce with physical behavior, revealing that interventions aiming to boost physical activity must be gender-sensitive and socioeconomic-context aware. Such nuanced understanding challenges the one-size-fits-all approach that many public health campaigns have historically taken, advocating for bespoke strategies that resonate differently with men and women across various socioeconomic tiers.
An intriguing dimension of the study is its exploration into how exercise identity shapes long-term adherence to physical activity regimes. The theory posits that when physical activity becomes integral to an individual’s self-concept, it transcends external motivators and becomes self-sustaining. This internalization is markedly more prevalent among individuals from higher SES backgrounds in China, highlighting how material and social capital are pivotal in fostering enduring health behaviors. For lower SES populations, the lack of such identity often corresponds with sporadic or minimal engagement, elucidating a psychological mechanism underpinning the broader public health challenge of physical inactivity.
The implications extend beyond academic interest, striking at the heart of preventive health policy. China’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, necessitates effective behavior change strategies. The study’s findings underscore that simply providing access to facilities or promoting generic exercise messages will not suffice. Instead, cultivating a sense of exercise identity tailored to the socioeconomic and gendered realities of target populations is essential. This requires multisectoral collaboration, integrating education, community development, and gender equity initiatives.
Methodologically, the researchers deployed a large-scale survey utilizing validated questionnaires assessing exercise identity alongside detailed demographic data. This quantitative approach was complemented by qualitative interviews, providing rich contextual insights into cultural attitudes toward exercise across economic classes. Such mixed methods allowed for a robust analysis of how subjective exercise identity interacts with objective physical activity levels, providing a comprehensive portrait of health behavior patterns in contemporary China.
Further, the study situates its findings within the global discourse on health disparities. While much research on exercise identity originates from Western contexts, this work contributes vital evidence from a collectivist society experiencing rapid modernization. It illuminates how deeply cultural norms intertwine with economic realities to shape health behaviors, cautioning against uncritical adaptation of Western health models in non-Western settings. The gendered moderator effects in China offer a paradigm for other nations grappling with similar sociocultural complexities amid economic stratification.
One compelling aspect of the research is its emphasis on exercise identity as a potential lever for change. By targeting psychosocial interventions to strengthen exercise identity—particularly among lower SES women—health professionals could counteract the inertia that often accompanies socioeconomic disadvantage. Strategies might include community-based role modeling, culturally sensitive fitness programs, and policies that elevate women’s disposable time and safety in public spaces, fostering environments where physical activity becomes a shared cultural norm rather than a marginalized pursuit.
This research also sparks an important conversation about the role of digital health technologies. As China experiences a surge in health apps and online fitness communities, there is an opportunity to harness digital platforms for enhancing exercise identity. However, the digital divide correlated with SES must be acknowledged—access to and familiarity with technology remain uneven, potentially exacerbating health inequities if not strategically addressed. Tailoring digital interventions to support identity development could multiply their efficacy, particularly if they incorporate gender- and SES-specific content and social reinforcement.
Moreover, the study highlights the potential of longitudinal approaches to capture how exercise identity and physical activity evolve throughout life stages within different socioeconomic segments. Understanding these temporal dynamics could inform early interventions targeting youth from disadvantaged backgrounds before sedentary behaviors become embedded. Encouragingly, the evidence points to the malleability of exercise identity, suggesting that with appropriate motivation and societal support, lower SES groups can develop meaningful exercise identities that sustain lifelong physical activity.
Public health stakeholders in China and beyond can draw lessons from this in-depth work as they seek to design equity-oriented strategies to combat sedentary lifestyles. Enhanced by this growing body of evidence on the interplay of identity, socioeconomic status, and gender, future health promotion programs should prioritize psychological empowerment alongside structural access. This dual approach promises to address root causes of inactivity and create resilient communities committed to healthier living.
In conclusion, the study published in BMC Psychology by Ye and colleagues stands as a landmark contribution to understanding the socially embedded nature of exercise behavior in China. By dissecting the moderating role of gender on the relationship between SES and exercise identity, it uncovers the psychological and cultural dimensions that shape physical activity patterns. These findings compel a reevaluation of health promotion paradigms to incorporate identity-building as a central tenet, fostering more inclusive, gender-responsive, and contextually appropriate interventions. As China strides toward a healthier future amidst its vast socioeconomic diversity, leveraging the insights from this research will be vital to unlocking the full potential of physical activity as a public health tool.
Article References:
Ye, C., Wang, L., Yu, Y. et al. Exercise identity and physical activity according to socioeconomic status in China: the moderating role of gender. BMC Psychol 13, 1242 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03575-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03575-2
Image Credits: AI Generated
