Physical exercises are increasingly becoming a vogue among the Chinese, which is also boosting people's sports-related consumption and even the sports industry itself.

To meet the public demand for physical exercises, there needs to be an adequate supply of sports facilities. However, there is a palpable gap between supply and demand. Frequent arguments between the elderly using public space to dance for fitness and young people wanting to play in the same place are one example of that gap. The fitness equipment in many residential communities is old, while gymnasiums and stadiums are often reserved for competitions.

Given this dire reality, it's important to integrate the sports industry into the overall urban economy. The efficient supply of sports facilities depends on the market force. In recent years, sports projects are being combined with shopping malls and entertainment. Some disused factories and school campuses have been renovated to provide sports facilities, which is helping to address the problem of space shortage for sports.

Some commercial sports institutions are trying to operate large-scale stadiums and gyms by using the Internet, new media, artificial intelligence and other new technologies. These innovative practices are making physical exercises a better experience for more and more people. With the conditions improving, sports will better play its role in people's life.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on August 27)