Physical exercise and prosocial behavior among rural adolescents: Evidence from the China Education Panel Survey

This study investigated the predictive effect of physical exercise on prosocial behavior among rural adolescents, analyzing data from the China Education Panel Survey for 2014–2015 by using multiple linear regression and quantile regression models to assess the predictive effect and heterogeneity of physical exercise. The sample comprised 4,219 students from 112 rural schools. Results showed that physical exercise significantly promoted prosocial behavior in these adolescents. Adolescents at midquantiles benefitted the most, showing an inverted V-shaped structure with higher benefits in the middle and lower benefits at both ends. Only children (vs. children with siblings) gained more from physical exercise, but exhibited greater polarization. Adolescents from low-income (vs. upper–middle income) families benefitted more from physical exercise and also showed polarization. These findings provide new insights into how physical exercise promotes prosocial behavior among rural adolescents from diverse backgrounds, and offer a basis for developing targeted physical activities.