At the elderly exercise and health home in Daning road subdistrict, Jing'an district, family doctors and exercise specialists held joint consultations and issued personalized exercise prescriptions for seniors. [Photo by Chen Tianyi/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The share of Shanghai residents who exercise regularly has reached 56.5 percent, up 18.1 percentage points from 2015 and 18 points above the national average. Among those aged 60 and above, the rate stands at 42.8 percent.

And data from the city's 200 elderly exercise and health home shows exercise does more than improve health — average hospitalization costs for participating seniors have dropped by nearly 1,800 yuan ($266.7) per person.

The figures were released Thursday at Shanghai's national fitness event, held at the Pengpu Town Citizens Fitness Center in Jing'an district. As part of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government open month series organized by the Shanghai Sports Bureau, four reports were released: the city's sixth national physique monitoring bulletin, its 2025 national fitness activity survey, a development report on elderly exercise and health homes under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, and China's first service specification on elderly exercise and health homes.

The Pengpu Town Citizens Fitness Center, a 2,136-square-meter facility with a physique monitoring station, elderly exercise and health home, and youth fitness station, was inaugurated on Thursday. [Photo by He Qi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Shanghai's population is aging rapidly, with over 5.6 million residents aged 60 and above by the end of last year, comprising more than one-third of the city's total. This demographic shift presents major health and financial challenges, with exercise emerging as a key part of the solution.

The survey showed a 5.7 percentage point increase in regular exercise among residents aged seven and up since 2020. The highest rate is 87.5 percent for ages seven to 18, followed by 43.3 percent for ages 19 to 59, and 42.8 percent for seniors. Popular activities include walking, running, rope skipping, cycling, badminton and basketball.

On the supply side, 91.9 percent of residents aged 19 and above can reach sports facilities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, indicating the "15-minute fitness circle" is largely in place. Participation in sports organizations reached 41.2 percent, up 4.2 points from 2020.

The Pengpu Town Citizens Fitness Center, a 2,136-square-meter facility with a physique monitoring station, elderly exercise and health home, and youth fitness station, was inaugurated on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

By the end of last year, Shanghai had built 200 elderly exercise and health homes, covering all 16 districts, with 40 more planned for 2026. About 71.7 percent of seniors can reach one within 15 minutes from home.

Health outcomes are significant. Tracking data shows over half of participants saw improved blood pressure, while roughly one-third reported better sleep, blood sugar and lipid levels.

At Thursday's event, China's first service specification for elderly exercise and health homes, set to take effect in 2026, was released. The Pengpu Town Citizens Fitness Center, a 2,136-square-meter facility with a physique monitoring station, elderly exercise and health home, and youth fitness station, was inaugurated at the event, catering to the fitness needs of all age groups.

Chen Tianyi contributed to this story.