Abstract
This study examined whether leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was associated with health-care utilization in a racially diverse sample of rural and urban older adults. Community-dwelling adults (N = 1,000, 75.32 ± 6.72 years old) self-reported participating in LTPA and their use of the health-care system (physician visits, number and length of hospitalizations, and emergency-room visits). After controlling for variables associated with health and health-care utilization, older adults who reported lower levels of LTPA also reported a greater number of nights in the hospital in the preceding year. There was no support, however, for a relationship between LTPA and the other indicators of health-care utilization. Our findings suggest that being physically active might translate to a quicker recovery for older adults who are hospitalized. Being physically active might not only have health benefits for older persons but also lead to lower health-care costs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 392-410 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Journal of Aging and Physical Activity |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2006 |
Keywords
- Exercise
- Hospital stays
- Negative binomial regression