Physical activity and labor market returns: Empirical evidence from China

Abstract

This study aimed to explain the relationship between physical activity and labor market returns. A fixed effects model with IV was constructed based on panel micro-data from China to examine the contribution of physical activity to individual labor market returns. It is found that an additional hour of physical activity per day can increase an individual's monthly income by about 0.5%, and an additional time of physical activity per week can increase the individual's monthly income by about 0.2%. This study provided new empirical evidence to understand China's future economic growth and labor market developments.