China Healthy Aging and Fitness Longitudinal Study

The China Healthy Aging and Fitness Longitudinal Study (CHALF) is a nationwide prospective observational study designed to investigate how physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness are associated with health and aging among older adults in China. The study plans to recruit approximately 8,960 adults aged 60-79 years from 14 provinces and provincial-level regions across China. Participants will complete questionnaires about their physical activity, exercise habits, lifestyle, nutrition, and health. They will also undergo standardized physical fitness assessments and blood tests. Participants will be followed over time to track changes in physical fitness and health. Follow-up assessments will examine how physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness are associated with physical function, chronic diseases, and other health outcomes. The findings will help improve understanding of healthy aging and provide evidence to support physical fitness monitoring and exercise guidance for older adults in China.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 60-79 years at baseline, with valid identification documents. 2. Having resided in the selected study area for at least one year, with no plans to relocate or leave the area for an extended period within the next five years. 3. Able to independently perform basic activities of daily living and participate in basic physical activities. 4. Able to communicate clearly, understand and respond to study questionnaires, without cognitive impairment or communication difficulties. 5. Having no contraindications to exercise. 6. Willing to provide written informed consent and participate in longitudinal follow-up assessments. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Temporary residents or individuals planning to relocate from the study area. 2. Surgery or major trauma, including fractures, within the previous six months. 3. Cancer or a history of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 4. Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes mellitus. 5. Severe cardiovascular diseases, including symptomatic valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, unstable angina, heart failure, severe arrhythmias, or primary pulmonary hypertension. 6. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or severe osteoporosis. 7. Diagnosed Alzheimer's disease or other severe cognitive impairment. 8. Severe chronic infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, or active tuberculosis.