A study about the health care savings associated with exercise suggests we should start thinking about physical activity like a savings account accruing compound interest. An investment now will pay off in old age.
Doctors have long understood the benefits of exercise. Staying active lowers the risk of a variety of diseases, from diabetes to cardiovascular problems to some cancers. In short, staying active is associated with longer life.
By one account, being sedentary leads to extra health care costs totaling $117 billion annually in the United States. That buys a lot of gym memberships.
A study published in the journal BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine looked at Medicare data and health questionnaires filled out by more than half a million AARP members. The idea was to calculate individual health care savings tied to exercise. They discovered those who were active paid considerably less at the doctor’s office after age 65 compared with those who were sedentary.
Researchers found the savings ranged from $824 to $1,874 a year after retirement, depending on when they started exercising or if they were active their entire lives. Even those folks whose workout regimen stagnated and slowed as they entered middle age saw savings compared with couch potatoes.
Indeed, those who waited until age 40 or later to start regularly exercising paid more than $800 less annually than those people who didn’t.
As investigators note, it’s never too late to get off your duff.
Scientists believe their findings are compelling and add to the mountain of evidence about the benefits of exercise. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.