INTRODUCTION:
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a potent health marker, the improvement of which is associated with a reduced incidence of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. Public parks have increasingly been recognized for their role in promoting residents' health and well-being. However, the relationship between park proximity and CRF has not been fully elucidated, particularly in older populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential health benefits associated with park use among older adults and examines the dose–response relationship between park proximity and CRF in the Chinese older adult population.
METHODS:
Data were derived from the 2025 Sixth National Physical Fitness Surveillance, a cross-sectional survey employing stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling across 31 provincial-level administrative divisions in China. The analytic sample comprised 44,287 consenting adults aged 60-79 years. CRF was assessed using the 2-minute step test (2MST) with a standardized stepping tester, recording step counts. Park proximity was determined in October 2025 via the AutoNavi Map Open Platform Place API, retrieving “park” Points of Interest (POIs) within administrative boundaries; all coordinates were converted to WGS84 for spatial consistency. Multivariable linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to evaluate associations and potential nonlinear dose–response relationships, adjusting for relevant confounders.
RESULTS:
The average age of the participants was 69.3±5.7 years, with 22,132 males and 22,155 females. Based on the presence or absence of a park within a 2 km buffer around the residence, participants were divided into a “with park” group (n = 32,382, 72.8%) and a “without park” group (n = 11,905, 27.2%). Between-group comparisons revealed that the “with park” group demonstrated significantly higher levels of physical activity participation, longer exercise duration, and better CRF than the “without park” group.
In multivariable regression, compared with the “without park” group, individuals whose nearest park was <400 m (β=6.437, 95% CI: 5.982–6.892), 400–799 m (β=6.108, 95% CI: 5.505–6.710), 800–1599 m (β=4.885, 95% CI: 4.279–5.491), or 1600–2000 m (β=4.271, 95% CI: 3.338–5.203) away recorded significantly higher 2MST step counts.RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between park proximity and CRF (P for nonlinear < 0.001). Specifically, the beneficial association gradually diminished when the distance to the nearest park beyond approximately 570 m, suggesting that 570 m may represent an optimal threshold for maximizing CRF benefits in older adults.
CONCLUSION:
A nonlinear dose–response relationship exists between park proximity and CRF among older adults, with the greatest benefits observed when the nearest park is within approximately 570 m. These findings highlight the public health value of strategically locating parks near residential areas to enhance cardiorespiratory health in aging societies.