Behavior Change and Health News
Health Benefits of Physical Activity Lead to Fewer Doctor and Hospital Visits
Researchers in a recent study found that physically fit men had fewer overnight hospital stays and visited their doctors less frequently than men who were unfit. The research provides further evidence of the health benefits of physical activity, in addition to cost savings for individuals and health care organizations.
Tedd L. Mitchell, MD, FACSM, led a study of 6,679 healthy men to compare the men’s fitness level to the number of physical visits and hospitalizations over a one-year period. In a secondary measurement, the researchers assessed whether improvements in fitness level during the study period made a difference in the number of overnight hospital stays.
The men were divided into groups ranging from least to most fit, based on their performance during an initial exercise treadmill test. Participants reported health risks, lifestyle, family history, and other illnesses in a survey. They were asked to report visits to the doctor and to indicate whether or not a hospital stay was required within the past 12 months.
The men in the most-fit group were less likely to visit their doctors or require hospitalization, whereas the number of medical treatments increased in the least-fit group. Men who improved their fitness between study examinations also had a reduction in the number of overnight hospital stays.
“Fit men, as well as those who become fit, may reduce health care costs by more than 50 percent,” said Mitchell. “Beyond the cost savings, we can see a reduced need for health care overall for fitter men. This should be a life-altering message for those who do not even meet the levels of physical activity recommended by ACSM and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. Achieving a moderate level of fitness provides adults with significant health benefits, as shown in this study and others (Blair et al.).
Active Living Every Day helps sedentary adults reach the public health guidelines mentioned in this article. Accumulating physical activity throughout your day, every day, becomes manageable when you learn the behavior skills necessary for making real changes in your lifestyle. Join the growing number of people worldwide who take charge of their health and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being physically active. For more information, please contact Active Living Partners at 800-747-4457 ext 2522 or e-mail michellem@hkusa.com.
Sources
American College of Sports Medicine. December 6, 2004. Fitness linked to fewer doctor, hospital visits. Press release. http://www.acsm.org/publications/newsreleases2004/fitnessdoctor120604.htm.
Blair, S.N., Kohl, H.W. III, Paffenbarger, R.S. Jr., Clark, D.G., Cooper, K.H., Gibbons, L.W. 1989. Physical fitness and all-cause mortality: a prospective study of healthy men and women. Journal of the American Medical Association 262: 2395-1401.
Mitchell, T.L, Gibbons, L.W., Devers, S.M., Earnest, C.P. December 2004. Effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on healthcare utilization. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 36 (12): 2088-2092.
Posted 12/30/04
Behavior Change and Health News Archive
