From the perspective of sports–wellness integration, this study examines the theoretical logic and mechanisms underlying the coordinated development of ethnic traditional sports and the silver economy. The analysis suggests that ethnic traditional sports can be transformed from cultural resources into wellness resources, and from forms of participation into sources of industrial value, through four interrelated mechanisms: resource value conversion, health-demand responsiveness, cultural experience enhancement, and industrial-chain coordination. To address current constraints, including insufficient age-friendly adaptation of resources, weak alignment between products and older adults’ needs, and inadequate industrial coordination, greater emphasis should be placed on classified resource development, product innovation, the creation of diversified consumption settings, and stronger support in talent development, technology, and branding. These efforts can promote more coordinated development between ethnic traditional sports and the silver economy.