Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background With rapid urbanization and population aging, the number of migrant older adults in China has increased substantially. Compared with local residents, migrant older adults face greater challenges in social integration, access to social support, and the maintenance of subjective well-being. This study adopts a multidimensional analytical framework to explore the mechanism linking sports participation, social integration, social support, and subjective well-being among migrant older adults in China. Methods Using cross-sectional survey data collected from 413 migrant older adults, this study examined the relationships among sports participation, social integration, social support, and subjective well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the model, and mediation analyses were conducted to explore the indirect effects of social integration and social support. Results The results showed that sports participation was positively associated with social integration, social support, and subjective well-being. Mediation analyses revealed that social integration and social support formed a significant sequential mediation pathway. Measurement model results further indicated that cognitive participation was the most salient component of sports participation, while identity and cultural integration were more influential than economic integration. Emotional support emerged as a key dimension of social support, and self-acceptance and confidence were central to subjective well-being. Furthermore, older migrants with longer residence duration showed significantly higher levels of sports participation, social integration, social support, and subjective well-being. Conclusions These findings suggest that sports participation enhances the subjective well-being of migrant older adults primarily through social pathways, particularly by fostering social integration and strengthening emotional support. Longer residence duration may help older migrants gradually adapt to the destination environment and accumulate supportive resources, thereby enhancing their well-being. Physical activity should therefore be understood as a socially embedded practice rather than merely a health behavior. Policies and community interventions aimed at promoting active aging should integrate age-friendly sports programs into broader strategies of migrant integration and social inclusion to support sustainable well-being in later life.</p>