PURPOSE This study investigated the relationship among negotiation, constraints, self-efficacy, and physical activity in Chinese elderly. METHOD Elderly participants who agreed to complete a questionnaire were recruited from five cities in Hunan province. A total of 300 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS 26. RESULTS We found that negotiation has a direct positive impact on physical activity and negotiation has an indirect positive impact on physical activity via self-efficacy and constraints. CONCLUSION To enhance physical activity in the elderly, it is necessary to improve their self-efficacy, provide incentive mechanisms and positive feedback to encourage negotiation, and offer social support to enhance their ability to overcome constraints.