Sports Participation and Health Care Costs in Older Adults Aged 50 Years or Older.

The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between sports participation and health care costs in older adults. The sample was composed of 556 participants (145 men and 411 women) who were followed from 2010 to 2014. The engagement in sports considered three different components (intensity, volume, and previous time). Health care costs were assessed annually through medical records. Structural equation modeling (longitudinal relationship between sport and costs) and analysis of variance for repeated measures (comparisons over time) were used. Health care costs increased significantly from 2010 to 2014 (analysis of variance; p value = .001). Higher baseline scores for intensity were related to lower health care costs (r = -.223, 95% confidence interval [-.404, -.042]). Similar results were found to volume (r = -.216, 95% confidence interval [-.396, -.036]) and time of engagement (r = -.218, 95% confidence interval [-.402, -.034]). In conclusion, higher sports participation is related to lower health care costs in older adults.

Impact of sports participation on incidence of bone traumatic fractures and health-care costs among adolescents: ABCD - Growth Study.

Objective: To analyze the risk of bone traumatic fractures according to the engagement in sports, as well as to identify the potential impact of sports participation and traumatic fractures on health-care costs among adolescents. Methods: This is a longitudinal 12-month study of 285 adolescents of both sexes in Brazil. We assessed the occurrence of traumatic fractures and health-care services (hospitalizations, medicine use, medical consultations, and exams) by phone contact every month for 12 months. Adolescents were divided into four groups according to sport characteristics: non-sport (n = 104), non-impact sport (swimming [n = 34]), martial arts (n = 49 [judo, karate, kung-Fu]) and impact sports (n = 98 [track-and-field, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, and baseball]). Results: The incidence of new fractures was 2.1%. The overall costs accounted during the 12-month follow-up were U$ 3,259.66. Swimmers (US$ 13.86) had higher health-care costs than non-sport (US$ 1.82), martial arts (US$ 2.23), and impact sports (US$ 2.32). Conclusion: swimming seems to be related to higher health-care costs among adolescents.

The effects of physical activity during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood on cardiovascular risk factors among adults.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between physical activity during life and cardiovascular risk factors among adults. DESIGN: The sample was composed of 101 adults (59 men) between 30 and 50 years old, who were recruited from different gyms and from a University in Brasil. Participants were divided according to their engagement in sports in early life (self-reported) and current physical activity (pedometer) (sports participation during childhood/adolescence and currently active [n=26], sports participation during childhood/adolescence and currently inactive [n=26], and control [n=49]). Cardiovascular risk factors were measured, such as body fat (through DXA), HDL-C, triglycerides, HOMA index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and C-reactive protein. We adopted the covariates of chronological age, sex, alcohol consumption, tobacco, and body mass index. General estimating equations were used, with p<0.05. RESULTS: After the adjustments of the final model, individuals engaged in sports during childhood and adolescence and inactive during adulthood presented lower body fat, when compared to participants persistently inactive (p<0.001). Participants persistently active presented lower body fat (p<0.001) and lower c-reactive protein (p=0.010) when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Early sports participation was associated with reduced body fat, and being physically active throughout life was associated with reduced body fat and C-reactive protein.

The effects of physical activity during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood on cardiovascular risk factors among adults

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between physical activity during life and cardiovascular risk factors among adults. DESIGN: The sample was composed of 101 adults (59 men) between 30 and 50 years old, who were recruited from different gyms and from a University in Brasil. Participants were divided according to their engagement in sports in early life (self-reported) and current physical activity (pedometer) (sports participation during childhood/adolescence and currently active [n=26], sports participation during childhood/adolescence and currently inactive [n=26], and control [n=49]). Cardiovascular risk factors were measured, such as body fat (through DXA), HDL-C, triglycerides, HOMA index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and C-reactive protein. We adopted the covariates of chronological age, sex, alcohol consumption, tobacco, and body mass index. General estimating equations were used, with p<0.05. RESULTS: After the adjustments of the final model, individuals engaged in sports during childhood and adolescence and inactive during adulthood presented lower body fat, when compared to participants persistently inactive (p<0.001). Participants persistently active presented lower body fat (p<0.001) and lower c-reactive protein (p=0.010) when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Early sports participation was associated with reduced body fat, and being physically active throughout life was associated with reduced body fat and C-reactive protein.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre atividade física durante a vida e fatores de risco cardiovasculares entre adultos. DESIGN: A amostra foi composta por 101 adultos (59 homens) entre 30 e 50 anos, os quais foram recrutados em diferentes academias de ginástica e uma universidade brasileira. Os participantes foram divididos de acordo com o engajamento prévio (autorrelatado) e atual de atividade física (mensurada por pedômetro) (participação esportiva durante a infância/adolescência e prática atual [n=26], participação esportiva durante a infância/adolescência e ausência de prática atual [n=26] e controle [n=49]). Como fatores de risco cardiovasculares foram mensurados gordura corporal (por meio de DXA), HDL, triglicérides, índice Homa, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, além da proteína c-reativa. Foram adotadas como covariáveis: idade cronológica, sexo, consumo de álcool e índice de massa corporal. Equações gerais de estimativa foram utilizadas adotando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Após os ajustes no modelo final, indivíduos engajados em esporte durante a infância e adolescência e inativos durante a idade adulta apresentaram menor gordura corporal quando comparados com participantes persistentemente inativos (p<0,001). Participantes persistentemente ativos apresentaram menor gordura corporal (p<0,001) e proteína c-reativa (p=0,010) quando comparados ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Prática esportiva prévia (durante infância e adolescência) foi associada com redução da gordura corporal e ser fisicamente ativo ao longo da vida foi associado à redução da gordura corporal e proteína c-reativa.

Metabolic Syndrome, Physical Activity, and Medication-Related Expenditures: A Longitudinal Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of MetS worldwide is increasing. There is no study investigating the economic burden of MetS, especially in developing countries, on medication-related expenditure. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of medication-related expenditures with MetS and to explore how physical activity (PA) may influence this association. METHODS: A total of 620 participants, 50 years or older, randomly selected in the city of Bauru, Brazil. Participants were followed from 2010 to 2014, and data on health care expenditure were collected annually. PA questionnaire was applied at baseline, 2 (2012), and 4 (2014) years later. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.7 (95% confidence interval, 64.1-65.3). MetS was associated with higher medication expenditure related to diseases of the circulatory (P <.01) and endocrine (P <.01) systems. MetS explained 17.2% of medication-related expenditures, whereas PA slightly attenuated this association, explaining 1.1% of all health care costs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MetS has a significant burden on health care expenditures among adults, whereas PA seems to affect this phenomenon significantly, but in low magnitude.

Health indicators and costs among outpatients according to physical activity level and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: How biochemical variables influence the costs of the Brazilian National Healthcare System, according to body composition and physical activity. METHODS: Participated in this study 168 patients. Biochemical variables were glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high, low, very low density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein (CRP). For the cost analysis the medical records was analyzed. Physical activity was assessed through questionnaire. Body adiposity was assessed by body mass index. Four groups were defined according body adiposity and physical activity. RESULTS: The active obese group had higher values of very low density lipoprotein and triglycerides when compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese inactive group had lower values of non-high density lipoprotein compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese active group presented lower insulin value when compared to the inactive obese. The inactive obese group presented higher values in the CRP when compared to the non-obese active and inactive groups when compared to non-obese and active obese group. There was a positive correlation between insulin, glucose, CRP and drug and total costs. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical variables were different according to body composition and physical activity. Insulin, glucose and CRP were related to cost in drugs and total costs.

Parents' Lifestyle, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated associations between different types of sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) in parent and their child, including the moderating effects of parent and child sex. METHODS: In total, 1231 adolescents, 1202 mothers, and 871 fathers were evaluated. The SB (TV viewing + computer + video game); different types of PA (leisure-time PA, occupational PA, and total PA); and the socioeconomic level were evaluated by questionnaire. The relationship between adolescents' SB and PA with parental characteristics was estimated by linear regression. RESULTS: The SB of male adolescents was correlated to the father's SB (ß = 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.39) and mother's SB (ß = 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.31). A similar relationship was observed between SB of female adolescents and the father's SB (ß = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19-0.42) and mother's SB (ß = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.20-0.38]). The SB of girls was inversely related to mother's occupational PA (ß = -2.62; 95% CI, -3.66 to -0.53]). The PA of the boys and girls was correlated with their fathers and mothers PA. All the results were adjusted for age and parent's socioeconomic level. CONCLUSIONS: SB and PA of parents were associated with SB and PA of their children, regardless of gender. Strategies for health promotion should consider the family environment to increase PA and reduce SB.

Impact of sports participation on mortality rates among Brazilian adults.

Objective: To analyze the possible dose-response association between components of sports participation (intensity, volume and previous engagement) and 4-year mortality rates among Brazilian adults. Methods: 679 males and females (mean age among men = 66.7 ± 9.3 years old and mean age among women = 64.8 ± 8.9 years old) composed the study sample. Sports participation was assessed using Baecke's questionnaire, which considers intensity, duration and previous engagement. Medical records were used to identify the cause of the death. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the independent associations of exercise components and mortality. Results: Participants that reported exercising at moderate-vigorous intensity (Moderate/vigorous: 4.1% versus None/light: 10.3% [p-value = 0.012]; HR = 0.42 [0.1 to 0.94)] and for more than four months (≥4 months: 5.3% versus <4 months: 10.2% [p-value = 0.038]; HR = 0.47 [0.24 to 0.94]) had lower mortality risk. The percentage of survival according to all-cause mortality was significantly higher for participants engaged in sports at moderate-vigorous intensity (p-value = 0.014), as well as for those engaged in sports for periods superior than four months (p-value = 0.036). Conclusion: We found higher percentage of survival among adults engaged in sports at moderate-vigorous intensity and with at least four months of previous engagement.

Association between Sports Participation in Early Life and Arterial Intima-Media Thickness among Adults.

Background: Early sports practice is associated with several health benefits during childhood and adolescence, moreover, recent evidence also suggests that sports during childhood and adolescence can produce some benefits during adulthood. However, the association between early sports practice and arterial thickness is not clear. Thus, our aim was analyze the association between sports participation in childhood and adolescence, carotid/femoral intima⁻media thickness, and blood flow index in adulthood. Material and Methods: Sample was composed of 107 adults (64 males) between 30 years and 50 years, which were recruited from different gyms and university staff from São Paulo State University. Participants were divided according to sports participation in early life (engaged in sports during childhood and adolescence (n = 52) and no engagement in sports during childhood and adolescence (n = 55)). Carotid and femoral intima⁻media thickness were measured through Doppler ultrasonography method. Carotid and femoral index were estimated from ultrasonography measures. As covariates, the following were adopted: chronological age, sex, body fat (through dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), c-reactive protein, HOMA, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, mean arterial pressure and current physical activity (pedometer). General estimating equations were used, adopting p < 0.05. Results: In the adjusted analyses, early sports participation was associated with lower carotid intima⁻media index (early sports participation: 0.64 mm ± 0.14 mm vs. no early sports participation: 0.71 mm ± 0.21 mm; p = 0.011), but not associated with femoral intima⁻media thickness, carotid resistive index and femoral resistive index after the adjustment by potential confounders. Conclusions: Sports participation in childhood and adolescence was associated with a reduced carotid intima⁻media thickness, independently of relevant confounders.