Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China
Abstract Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of urban green spaces on health, the association between street-level greenery and domain-specific physical activity (PA) among older adults remains underexplored. This study employed Baidu Street View imagery and deep learning techniqu...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03050-3 |
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| author | Yiling Song Mingzhong Zhou Jiale Tan Jiali Cheng Yangyang Wang Xiaolu Feng Hongjun Yu |
| author_facet | Yiling Song Mingzhong Zhou Jiale Tan Jiali Cheng Yangyang Wang Xiaolu Feng Hongjun Yu |
| author_sort | Yiling Song |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of urban green spaces on health, the association between street-level greenery and domain-specific physical activity (PA) among older adults remains underexplored. This study employed Baidu Street View imagery and deep learning techniques to objectively evaluate street greenery exposure and its relationship with various types of PA among older adults in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1326 older adults (aged 60 years and above) residing in Beijing, China. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to assess participants’ PA levels. Street greenery was measured within a 500 m buffer around each participant’s residence using Baidu Street View images and deep learning algorithms. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and multilevel linear regression models. Correlation analyses revealed that street greenery within a 500 m buffer of participants’ residences was significantly and positively associated with transportation PA among older adults (p < 0.05), particularly with bicycling (p < 0.01). After adjusting for individual characteristics, annual household income, and other potential confounders, multilevel linear regression analysis indicated that street greenery remained a significant positive predictor of transportation PA (β = 0.08, p < 0.01). No significant associations were found between street greenery and either leisure PA or household PA (p > 0.05). Street greenery around residential areas is significantly associated with transportation PA among older adults in China. Urban green space planning should prioritize enhancing street greenery and creating safe, pleasant walking and cycling environments to support active aging in high-density cities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5b0ac31fb3d498e843752b3a5f8f6f2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e5b0ac31fb3d498e843752b3a5f8f6f22025-08-20T02:05:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-03050-3Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, ChinaYiling Song0Mingzhong Zhou1Jiale Tan2Jiali Cheng3Yangyang Wang4Xiaolu Feng5Hongjun Yu6Department of Physical Education, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua UniversityFaculty of Public Physical Education, Hebei Normal UniversityDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Sports Science, College of Education, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua UniversityAbstract Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of urban green spaces on health, the association between street-level greenery and domain-specific physical activity (PA) among older adults remains underexplored. This study employed Baidu Street View imagery and deep learning techniques to objectively evaluate street greenery exposure and its relationship with various types of PA among older adults in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1326 older adults (aged 60 years and above) residing in Beijing, China. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to assess participants’ PA levels. Street greenery was measured within a 500 m buffer around each participant’s residence using Baidu Street View images and deep learning algorithms. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and multilevel linear regression models. Correlation analyses revealed that street greenery within a 500 m buffer of participants’ residences was significantly and positively associated with transportation PA among older adults (p < 0.05), particularly with bicycling (p < 0.01). After adjusting for individual characteristics, annual household income, and other potential confounders, multilevel linear regression analysis indicated that street greenery remained a significant positive predictor of transportation PA (β = 0.08, p < 0.01). No significant associations were found between street greenery and either leisure PA or household PA (p > 0.05). Street greenery around residential areas is significantly associated with transportation PA among older adults in China. Urban green space planning should prioritize enhancing street greenery and creating safe, pleasant walking and cycling environments to support active aging in high-density cities.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03050-3Street greeneryStreet view imagesPhysical activityOlder adultsChina |
| spellingShingle | Yiling Song Mingzhong Zhou Jiale Tan Jiali Cheng Yangyang Wang Xiaolu Feng Hongjun Yu Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China Scientific Reports Street greenery Street view images Physical activity Older adults China |
| title | Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China |
| title_full | Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China |
| title_fullStr | Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China |
| title_short | Association between street greenery and physical activity among Chinese older adults in Beijing, China |
| title_sort | association between street greenery and physical activity among chinese older adults in beijing china |
| topic | Street greenery Street view images Physical activity Older adults China |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03050-3 |
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