Physical Activity Prevents Hospitalization Save

Modifiable lifestyle choices can impact long term health.  A recent study shows that usual and increased physical activity can results in less hospitalization amongst the the general population.

A large population study examined the impact of usual physical activity on subsequent hospital admissions among middle aged adults (40–79 years). The cohorts (11,228 men and 13,786 women) were drawn from a British prospective population followed for 20 years . Lifestyle and physical activity were assessed by lifestyle questionnaire at baseline and 12 years later, with some having repeated interval assessments.

In the first ten years of the study, active participants were 25-27% less likely than inactive participants to have more than 20 hospital days or more than 7 admissions per year.

A total of 9,827 study participants had repeated measurements, showing that ongoing or increased physical activity was associated with 34% lower risk of hospitalization for more than 20 days.

This equated to a mean of 0.42 fewer hospital days per year for adults with any activity compared to inactive adults. The resultant savings to the National Health Service (NHS) was £247 per person per year (7% of UK health expenditure).

Usual physical activity in this middle-aged and older adults is associated with a lower future risk of hospitalisation and time spent in hospital, independent of behavioural and sociodemographic factors.