Physical Activity Volume, Exercise Guidance, and Depressive Symptoms in Young‐Old Adults: The Role of Internet Use Frequency and Self‐Perceived Digital Proficiency

Abstract

Aim Physical activity is associated with depressive symptoms in later life, but this association may depend on the form of exercise‐related support and older adults’ digital engagement. This study examined whether physical activity volume (PAV) and exercise guidance (EG) were associated with depressive symptoms among young‐old adults in China and whether these associations varied by internet use frequency (IUF) and self‐perceived digital proficiency. Methods Data were drawn from the 2020 to 2023 waves of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The analytic sample included 5643 adults aged 60–75 years. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine the associations of PAV and EG with depressive symptoms, as well as their interactions with IUF and self‐perceived digital proficiency. Results PAV and EG were associated with lower depressive symptom scores in the full sample, although the association for PAV was less consistent across subgroup and moderation models. More frequent internet use was associated with lower depressive symptom scores and was more consistently related to the EG—depressive symptoms association than to the PAV—depressive symptoms association. The interaction between PAV and IUF was evident mainly among rural respondents. Among internet users, high self‐perceived digital proficiency was associated with lower depressive symptom scores and showed a clearer conditional association with EG than with PAV. Conclusion Digital engagement was more consistently related to the depressive‐symptom relevance of EG than to PAV itself. These findings suggest that supporting young‐old adults’ mental health may require attention not only to physical activity levels but also to accessible EG and age‐friendly digital support.