The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group

IntroductionChina is facing the challenge of “deep aging”, and promoting healthy aging has become a key research topic. Both medical care and physical exercise are important for health, but while medical services focus on treating illness, physical fitness activities focus on prevention, making them...

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Main Authors: Tao Liu, Yujiao Yao, Zhandong Yang, Kaigeng Li, Tao Yu, Yalong Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425601/full
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author Tao Liu
Yujiao Yao
Zhandong Yang
Kaigeng Li
Tao Yu
Yalong Xia
author_facet Tao Liu
Yujiao Yao
Zhandong Yang
Kaigeng Li
Tao Yu
Yalong Xia
author_sort Tao Liu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionChina is facing the challenge of “deep aging”, and promoting healthy aging has become a key research topic. Both medical care and physical exercise are important for health, but while medical services focus on treating illness, physical fitness activities focus on prevention, making them a more effective approach for promoting healthy aging.MethodsThis study uses data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), focusing on individuals aged 60 to 80, to investigate the relationship between physical fitness activities and medical expenditures. A Tobit model was employed to analyze the data.Results(1) Active participation in physical fitness activities significantly improves the health of older adults, making physical activity an essential pathway to achieve healthy aging. (2) Participation in sports and fitness activities leads to a crowding-out effect on medical expenditures, significantly reducing healthcare costs for participants. (3) High-intensity physical activities are most suitable for individuals aged 60-65, moderate-intensity activities for those aged 66-70, and low-intensity activities for those aged 71–80.Discussion(1) Policies should focus on raising awareness of physical fitness benefits among older adults, encouraging regular physical activity to improve health and reduce medical costs. (2) A shift from treatment to prevention in health management is needed, promoting exercise as a cost-effective way to reduce healthcare spending. (3) Age-specific fitness guidelines should be developed to provide tailored exercise recommendations for different older aldult age groups.
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spelling doaj-art-166e797dcad943918f2dab9688dbc4a32024-11-15T05:10:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-11-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.14256011425601The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged groupTao Liu0Yujiao Yao1Zhandong Yang2Kaigeng Li3Tao Yu4Yalong Xia5Chengdu Shude High School, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, ChinaSchool of International Studies, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaSchool of Leisure Sports and Tourism, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Media and Law, NingboTech University, Ningbo, ChinaSchool of Leisure Sports and Tourism, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Business, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, ChinaIntroductionChina is facing the challenge of “deep aging”, and promoting healthy aging has become a key research topic. Both medical care and physical exercise are important for health, but while medical services focus on treating illness, physical fitness activities focus on prevention, making them a more effective approach for promoting healthy aging.MethodsThis study uses data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), focusing on individuals aged 60 to 80, to investigate the relationship between physical fitness activities and medical expenditures. A Tobit model was employed to analyze the data.Results(1) Active participation in physical fitness activities significantly improves the health of older adults, making physical activity an essential pathway to achieve healthy aging. (2) Participation in sports and fitness activities leads to a crowding-out effect on medical expenditures, significantly reducing healthcare costs for participants. (3) High-intensity physical activities are most suitable for individuals aged 60-65, moderate-intensity activities for those aged 66-70, and low-intensity activities for those aged 71–80.Discussion(1) Policies should focus on raising awareness of physical fitness benefits among older adults, encouraging regular physical activity to improve health and reduce medical costs. (2) A shift from treatment to prevention in health management is needed, promoting exercise as a cost-effective way to reduce healthcare spending. (3) Age-specific fitness guidelines should be developed to provide tailored exercise recommendations for different older aldult age groups.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425601/fullphysical activityhealthy agingmedical expenditurecrowding-out effecttobit model
spellingShingle Tao Liu
Yujiao Yao
Zhandong Yang
Kaigeng Li
Tao Yu
Yalong Xia
The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
Frontiers in Public Health
physical activity
healthy aging
medical expenditure
crowding-out effect
tobit model
title The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
title_full The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
title_fullStr The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
title_full_unstemmed The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
title_short The crowding-out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
title_sort crowding out effect of physical fitness activities on medical expenditure in the aged group
topic physical activity
healthy aging
medical expenditure
crowding-out effect
tobit model
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425601/full
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