The Impact of Rural Sports and Leisure Public Services on Residents’ Participation and Life Satisfaction
- 1 Sports Management Department, Guangxi College of Sports Education, Nanning, China
Abstract
This study surveyed 424 rural residents in Guangxi to investigate their participation in sports and leisure activities. An evaluation system was developed encompassing six dimensions—facilities, activities, organization, information, guidance, and health management—and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) together with regression models were employed to examine public service needs, satisfaction, and their effects on residents’ participation and life satisfaction. The results show that residents consistently perceive public services as more important than the satisfaction they actually experience, with a pronounced “high demand - low satisfaction” gap in facility services. Logistic regression analysis indicates that gender, household income, activity guidance, and health management significantly influence participation. Meanwhile, multiple linear regression reveals that post-exercise experience, satisfaction with facilities, and satisfaction with information services are key determinants of life satisfaction. These findings suggest that rural sports public services should transition from “extensive supply” to “targeted provision,” with greater emphasis on facility maintenance, professional guidance, and health management to enhance both service quality and residents’ overall life satisfaction.
- Central Committee of the Communist Party of China & State Council (2016). “Healthy China 2030” Planning Outline . https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202203/content_3635233.htm
- Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Jiangsu Provincial Committee (2023). Proposal on Resolving the Supply-Demand Contradiction of Rural Sports Public Services in Our Province . http://www.jszx.gov.cn/wylz/zxta/2023ta/202301/t20230112_94556.html
- Cui, D., Qiu, F., Qiu, F. et al. (2021). Mental Health, Quality of Life and Well-Being of Recreational Physical Activity for Adults Using ICF: A Systematic Review. Chinese Jour nal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice, 27, 1038-1047.
- Dai, Z. G., & Li, Y. L. (2023). Effects of Different Elements in Refinement of Public Sports Service Provision in Urban Communities on Residents’ Sense of Access: A Moderated Mediation Model. China Sport Science and Technology, 59, 50-57.
- Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Beyond Money: Toward an Economy of Well-Being. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 5, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00501001.x
- Duan, H. Y. (2024). Research on the Optimization of Rural Sports Public Service Supply in Zibo City, Shandong Province . Master’s Thesis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports.
- Kong, Y. X., & Li, X. H. (2023). Analysis of the Current Situation of Sports Participation among Rural Middle-Aged Adults in the Context of National Fitness. S ports Goods and Technology, No. 20, 7-9.
- Li, H. B., Wang, H. N., & Yan, J. (2022). Value Orientation and Practical Paths of Precision Supply of Rural Public Sports Services. Journal of Shanxi University of Finance and Eco nomics, 44, 115-117.
- Li, X. H., Yang, X. P., & Chen, Y. S. (2011). Analysis of the Characteristics of Physical Exercise Participation among Different Educational Groups in Gansu Province. Gansu Sci ence and Technology, 27, 82-85, 110.
- Li, X., Yu, R., Wang, Q. et al. (2021). New Public Management: Research on the Practical Difficulties and Countermeasures of Rural Public Sports Service Supply in China. Zhejiang Sport Science, 43, 17-21+28.
- Liu, L. (2011). Performance Assessment of Sports Public Service under the New Public Management Perspective—In View of Wuhan Metropolitan Area. Journal of Wuhan In stitute of Physical Education, 45, 24-29.
- Liu, R., Liu, M. L., & Nie, H. M. (2021). Research on the Status Quo and Countermeasures of Rural Public Sports Services in Northern Shaanxi from the Perspective of Healthy China. You th and Society, 2021, 105-112.