Experts have long recognised that maintaining strong social relationships and staying physically active are both essential for healthy ageing. What has remained less clear is how these two influences work together to shape the health and overall wellbeing of older adults. New research is now helping to close that gap, offering a clearer picture of how social connection and movement reinforce one another in later life.
A comprehensive review conducted by health behaviour researchers at Texas A&M University’s School of Public Health brings fresh insight into this relationship, while also outlining practical directions for future health interventions. Rather than treating social engagement and physical activity as separate goals, the researchers argue that they should be addressed as closely intertwined elements of healthy ageing, particularly when tackling loneliness and social isolation among older adults.
The study’s lead author, former doctoral student Jeong-Hui Park, received the 2025 Editor-in-Chief Paper of the Year Award from the American Journal of Health Promotion in recognition of the work. Park explained that earlier research in this area was fragmented, with some studies focusing narrowly on a single factor, such as social support, and others examining a broad range of social influences without concentrating specifically on older populations. As a result, the deeper interaction between social life and physical activity in later years had remained underexplored.
Previous findings have consistently shown that supportive relationships and an active social life encourage people to remain physically active. For older adults in particular, being active often means leaving the home, which naturally increases opportunities for social contact. This cycle of movement and interaction can, in turn, enhance both physical health and emotional wellbeing, contributing to greater happiness and life satisfaction.
What sets this review apart is its broad and systematic approach. The research team examined a wide range of social factors, including social networks, social support, social interaction, social influence, loneliness, social isolation, social norms and neighbourhood cohesion. They analysed English-language, quantitative studies focused on adults aged 65 and over who did not have specific medical conditions, ultimately selecting 34 relevant articles from an initial pool of more than 1,500. Together, these studies revealed strong links between social connectedness and physical activity, although the strength and direction of those links varied depending on context and measurement.
Overall, the findings reinforce the idea that physical activity and social connection are deeply linked at a fundamental level. Support from family, friends and communities tends to encourage movement, while participation in group or socially engaging activities can reduce loneliness, support cognitive health and improve quality of life. The authors also highlight the need for future research to understand better how social habits motivate exercise, to design programmes that deliberately harness social ties, and to tailor interventions to individual preferences rather than relying on generic solutions. With more thoughtful and targeted approaches, it is possible to significantly enhance the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people as they age.
More information: Jeong-Hui Park et al, A Systematic Literature Review of the Relationships Between Social and Interpersonal Factors and Physical Activity Among Older Adults, American Journal of Health Promotion. DOI: 10.1177/08901171241302925
Journal information: American Journal of Health Promotion Provided by Texas A&M University
