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Updated: May 12, 2026
07:26
Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Cost-effectiveness of exercise is medicine
1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA. Peter.Katzmarzyk@pbrc.edu
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|March 28, 2013
Summary
Promoting physical activity offers health benefits but inactivity burdens healthcare costs. Interventions in primary care show promise for cost-effectiveness, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- A physically active lifestyle provides significant health benefits.
- High levels of physical inactivity contribute to substantial healthcare expenditures globally.
- Physical inactivity costs range from 1.2% to 2.5% of annual healthcare spending in various countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions.
- To address the limited deployment of effective physical activity programs in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing studies on physical activity interventions in primary care.
- Review of country-specific economic cost estimates attributable to physical inactivity.
Main Results:
- Limited studies suggest physical activity promotion may be a cost-effective strategy.
- Evidence indicates a significant economic burden from physical inactivity on healthcare budgets.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity interventions in primary care show potential for cost-effectiveness.
- Further research is needed to provide robust cost-effectiveness data for physical activity interventions.
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