Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Psychiatry. Nov 19, 2026; 16(11): 117569
Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.117569
Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.117569
Job vs leisure: Rethinking physical activity as a precision strategy for mental and cognitive aging in China
Qiang Wang, Department of Physical Education, Anhui International Studies University, Hefei 231201, Anhui Province, China
Ming-Da Wang, National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
Ming-Da Wang, Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Ming-Da Wang, Faculty of Education, National University of Malaysia, Selangor 43600, Malaysia
Co-first authors: Qiang Wang and Ming-Da Wang.
Author contributions: Wang MD designed the study and wrote the original draft of the manuscript; Wang Q provided sport expertise, contributed to reviewing, revising, and editing the manuscript; both authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Wang Q and Wang MD contributed equally to this work as co-first authors.
AI contribution statement: AI-assisted tools (e.g., ChatGPT) were used solely for language polishing and editing. The content, structure, and scientific arguments of the manuscript were developed by the authors. No part of the manuscript was fully generated by AI. AI tools were not involved in study design, data analysis, or interpretation of results. No figures or images were generated using AI.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Ming-Da Wang, PhD, Assistant Researcher, National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University Health Science Center, No. 38 Xue
Received: December 10, 2025
Revised: January 6, 2026
Accepted: January 15, 2026
Published online: November 19, 2026
Processing time: 323 Days and 9.4 Hours
Revised: January 6, 2026
Accepted: January 15, 2026
Published online: November 19, 2026
Processing time: 323 Days and 9.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Not all physical activity is beneficial-its purpose and context determine its impact on mental and cognitive health. This review highlights the fundamental distinction between job-related and leisure physical activity, showing that occupational activity may increase stress and cognitive risk, whereas leisure activity supports emotional well-being and brain function. By integrating biological, psychological, and socioeconomic perspectives, this article proposes a precision-oriented framework that moves beyond simple activity metrics and provides new directions for public health and clinical strategies in aging populations.