Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>This study examines whether the provision of sports spaces effectively promotes residents' physical activity in Shanghai. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial measurements, specifically the Gaussian 2SFCA method, and resident survey data, it establishes an analytical framework linking objective accessibility, perceived accessibility, objective-subjective mismatch, and physical activity. Empirical and spatial econometric analyses reveal that both objective and perceived accessibility independently and positively influence physical activity. While absolute objective-subjective mismatch shows no definitive negative penalty, the “high-objective/high-subjective” group exhibits the highest activity levels, whereas the “low/low” group demonstrates the lowest. Additionally, perceived accessibility partially mediates the effect of objective spatial opportunities. Consequently, sports space governance in megacities must transcend evaluating mere facility coverage. To enhance public health benefits, urban policies must simultaneously optimize objective provision and improve residents' subjective experiences, ensuring community spaces are genuinely visible, reachable, and usable.</p>