A study conducted at the University of Gothenburg has uncovered a promising link between aerobic fitness and reduced hospitalizations.
This research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, highlights the importance of maintaining or improving aerobic fitness, especially for individuals with a history of hospitalization.
The study involved 91,140 participants who underwent two health assessments as part of an occupational health service.
These assessments included bicycle fitness tests, measurements of weight, height, and blood pressure, as well as lifestyle and health questionnaires.
The researchers compared changes in aerobic fitness from these assessments with subsequent hospital admissions data, focusing on both general and cardiovascular disease-specific hospitalizations over an average period of seven years.
The findings were significant:
General Hospitalizations: Participants who maintained their aerobic fitness experienced 7% fewer hospitalizations for any reason. Those who improved their fitness had 11% fewer hospitalizations compared to individuals whose fitness declined.
Previous Hospitalizations: The impact was more pronounced among participants with a history of hospitalization. In this group, maintaining or improving aerobic fitness led to a 14% reduction in hospitalizations for any reason during the follow-up period, compared to those whose fitness deteriorated.
Cardiovascular Disease: Maintaining aerobic fitness resulted in 9% fewer cardiovascular disease-related admissions, while improving fitness led to a 13% reduction.
Notably, there was a 20% reduction in cardiovascular disease admissions among previously hospitalized participants who maintained or increased their aerobic fitness.
The study’s outcomes were adjusted for factors like diet, smoking, and perceived stress levels, emphasizing the specific impact of aerobic fitness on health.
This research underscores the importance of aerobic fitness as a preventive healthcare measure. It not only benefits individual health but also offers a strategic opportunity to mitigate healthcare costs and the growing burden on healthcare systems.
The study’s emphasis on the significant role of physical activity in preventing hospital readmissions is particularly relevant in the context of an aging population and increasing healthcare demands.
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The research findings can be found in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
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