{
  "abstract": "Background: The relationship between sports participation and psychological well-being is well-documented, yet empirical evidence regarding the moderating role of community sports facilities remains inconclusive. This study tests whether facilities amplify or attenuate the well-being returns to exercise, using four-wave panel data from China (CFPS 2014, 2018, 2020, 2022). Methods: Linear regression models with individual fixed effects were constructed using China Family Panel Studies data (CFPS 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2022; the 2016 wave was excluded because its happiness item reached only 2.5% of adults). The analytical sample comprised 71,326 observations from 23,818 individuals. Self-rated happiness (0−10 scale) was regressed on binary exercise participation, community sports facility count (0−5+), and their interaction, controlling for age and log household income. Robustness was tested via instrumental variable estimation (community mean exercise rate) and propensity score matching. Results: Exercise positively predicted happiness (β = +0.074, p < 0.001) in the baseline fixed-effects model. The exercise × facility interaction was directionally consistent with the substitution hypothesis but not statistically significant (β = −0.022, p = 0.075). Marginal exercise effects declined from +0.095 in zero-facility communities (p < 0.001) to non-significance where three or more facility types were available. Instrumental variable estimation results (first-stage F = 3231.25; second-stage β = −0.158, p = 0.117). The IV estimate did not reach statistical significance, providing limited evidence on treatment effect heterogeneity. Four-wave balanced panel estimates confirmed the baseline finding (β = +0.074, p < 0.01). CES-D mediation accounted for only approximately 4.6% of the total effect. Conclusions: Exercise benefits subjective well-being most where community sports facilities are least available—a directionally consistent substitution pattern. Facility investment may yield greater marginal returns when targeted at underserved communities.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, China",
    "Shandong Urban Construction Vocational College, Jinan, Shandong, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yang Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Liman Wang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3c9ka9xz8cep9.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359511",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "3c9ka9xz8cep9",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359511",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2737|Physical Activity and Health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Emotions/Happiness"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Personality"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Social psychology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Sports science/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry/Mood disorders/Depression"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Behavioral and social aspects of health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Physical activity/Physical fitness/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Mathematics/Statistics/Statistical methods/Instrumental variable analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Mathematical and statistical techniques/Statistical methods/Instrumental variable analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Emotions/Happiness"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Personality"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Social psychology"
    ]
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  "openalex": "W7214943073",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0359511&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-30",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3c9ka9xz8cep9.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359511",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359511"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "mathematics",
      "origin": "plos:statistical methods",
      "subfield": "statistics"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:public and occupational health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:mental health and psychiatry",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
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  "title": "Sports facilities as substitutes for exercise-induced well-being: Evidence from four-wave CFPS panel data",
  "title_text": "Sports facilities as substitutes for exercise-induced well-being: Evidence from four-wave CFPS panel data",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3c9ka9xz8cep9",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}