Measuring the time costs of exercise: a proposed measuring method and a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Behavioral Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Time cost of exercise is crucial for health economic analyses of physical activity interventions.
• Current methods for estimating exercise time costs are lacking.
• This study introduces a novel model to measure the economic cost of time spent on physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a model for measuring the time costs associated with physical activity.
• To assess how different exerciser experience levels value their exercise time.
• To inform cost-effectiveness analyses of physical activity promotion programs.

Main Methods:

• Developed a model based on theoretical frameworks for time valuation, incorporating health-related quality of life.
• Defined exercise time cost as forgone leisure utility minus exercise utility.
• Administered a questionnaire to experienced and less experienced exercisers to gather valuation data.

Main Results:

• Less experienced exercisers valued exercise time at 26% of net wages; experienced exercisers valued it at 7% (p < 0.001).
• Higher time costs correlated with less positive exercise experiences and more positive leisure valuations among less experienced individuals.
• A significant inverse correlation was found between time costs and exercise frequency/duration.

Conclusions:

• Exercise time cost is a vital consideration for physical activity interventions and cost-effectiveness analyses.
• The proposed model offers a more accurate method for estimating exercise time costs compared to previous assumptions.
• Understanding time costs can refine strategies for promoting sustained physical activity.