Associations of physical activity domains and delayed biological 
aging: assessing heterogeneity and interaction of effects

Yongyu Huang; Yang Wang; Yanwei You; Ming Ding; Zuosheng Lu; Qing Wang

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.158670

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

Current Issue Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Archive Ethical standards and procedures Contact Instructions for authors Journal's Reviewers Special Information

Editorial System

Submit your Manuscript

Editorial Policies

Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications

Open access

Send email

Copy url:

abstract:

Original paper

Associations of physical activity domains and delayed biological aging: assessing heterogeneity and interaction of effects

Yongyu Huang

¹

,

Yang Wang

¹

,

Yanwei You

²

,

Ming Ding

³

,

Zuosheng Lu

¹

,

Qing Wang

^{4, 5}

School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Beijing, China

Biol Sport. 2026;43:847–873

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158670

Online publish date: 2026/02/06

View full text Get citation

PlumX metrics:

Physical activity (PA) is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, but the effects of different PA domains on delayed biological aging remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the specific effects of occupational PA (OPA), transportation PA (TPA), and leisure-time PA (LTPA) on delayed biological aging, as well as the heterogeneity and joint interactions of these effects. We analyzed data from 18,362 adults in NHANES 2007–2010 and 2015–2018. Biological aging was assessed using Klemera–Doubal Method Biological Age (KDM-BA), Phenotypic Age (PhenoAge), and Homeostatic Dysregulation (HD). Delayed aging was defined as biological age acceleration < 0 for KDM-BA and PhenoAge, and as values below the median for HD. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate associations of PA domains and levels with delayed aging, and joint analyses were conducted to examine combined effects. Results showed that high OPA was associated with a lower likelihood of delayed aging (KDM, OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.78–0.91; PhenoAge, OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.79–0.94), whereas high LTPA (PhenoAge, OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.22–1.49; HD, OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.09–1.29) was associated with a higher likelihood, while associations for TPA were not significant after adjustment. Joint analysis showed that combinations with high OPA were associated with lower likelihood of delayed aging, whereas those with high LTPA were associated with higher likelihood. These findings highlight the distinct roles of different PA domains and levels in delaying biological aging, providing important evidence for public health strategies to promote healthy aging.

keywords:

Associations of physical activity domains and delayed biological aging: assessing heterogeneity and interaction of effects

Yongyu Huang 1 , Yang Wang 1 , Yanwei You 2 , Ming Ding 3 , Zuosheng Lu 1 , Qing Wang 4, 5

Physical activity, Biological Aging, Interaction of Effects, Associations, Public Health

Yongyu Huang

¹

,

Yang Wang

¹

,

Yanwei You

²

,

Ming Ding

³

,

Zuosheng Lu

¹

,

Qing Wang

^{4, 5}