Sociological Analysis of Participation Differences in Exercise and Health Across Social Classes and Their Influencing Factors_Vol. 2 No. 2 (JMSD 2025)_Journal of Management and Social Development (ISSN: 3005-5741)

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Sociological Analysis of Participation Differences in Exercise and Health Across Social Classes and Their Influencing Factors

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202512224

Author(s)

Mu Qichen, Liu Zhaoxia, Piao Chengquan*, Zhang Yali, Chen Tong

Affiliation(s)

Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan, Shandong, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study adopts a sociological perspective to examine the disparities in exercise and health participation among different social classes and the underlying mechanisms involved. The aim is to reveal how structural social factors influence individual health behaviors in exercise, providing a theoretical basis for the equalization of public fitness services. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Firstly, utilizing data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS), key dimensions of social class—economic capital (income level), cultural capital (educational attainment), and social capital (network size)—are identified. A multiple regression model analyzes differences in participation frequency, type, and intensity among various social strata. Additionally, in-depth interviews with different occupational groups are conducted, applying Bourdieu’s theories of capital and field to uncover the structural causes and action logics behind class disparities. The findings indicate that social class significantly affects participation in exercise and health, with higher-class groups demonstrating superior frequency, professional sport choices, and long-term health management awareness compared to lower-class groups. Economic capital dictates the accessibility of health resources, cultural capital shapes participation preferences and value perceptions, while social capital provides supportive networks. Institutional factors, such as the spatial distribution of public sports facilities and the provision of health services in occupational benefits, further exacerbate participation gaps among classes. The conclusion reveals that disparities in exercise and health participation are fundamentally the result of unequal social resource allocation and class-based cultural practices. It suggests that policies aimed at optimizing public service equalization and fostering an inclusive health culture are essential to reduce health participation disparities and promote equitable implementation of the Healthy China strategy.

Keywords

Social Class; Exercise and Health Participation; Disparities; Influencing Factors; Sociological Analysis

References

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