Physical Activity Incentive Program for Older People

cost-Utility and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) Cost-Utility and QALYs of a Multicomponent Program for Older Adults

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2025.1.47727

Keywords:

Older people, older people’s health, physical activity, physical exercise, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the cost-utility and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) of the Physical Activity Incentive Program for Older People.

Methods: This observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study included older people aged ≥60 years. The program offered supervised activities 2–5 times per week. Participants were monitored over 12 months via attendance records for each exercise session and quarterly reassessments. The initial sample comprised 300 participants, with 258 at 3 months, 213 at 6 months, 128 at 9 months, and 82 at 12 months. Cost-utility analysis and QALYs (calculated using EuroQol-5D) were applied to measure effectiveness.

Results: The program increased QALYs by 7.5 years and reduced cost-utility from R$724,363.72 to R$155,495.21 during implementation and from R$357,548.38 to R$76,752.96 during execution. Unit costs reached R$1,430.46 (implementation) and R$706,077.81 (execution) for 128 participants over 9 months. Significant improvements were observed in physical activity levels, functional independence, and quality of life.

Conclusions: The Physical Activity Incentive Program for Older People is a cost-effective and efficient intervention. It promotes increased physical activity, functional independence, and enhanced quality of life, serving as a model for prevention in primary care.

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Author Biographies

Clarissa Biehl Printes , Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Bachelor's and Licentiate degree in Physical Education from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Institute of Porto Alegre (IPA-RS), PhD in Sports Science from the University of Córdoba (Spain), title recognized by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). PhD in Biomedical Gerontology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Post-doctoral researcher in a research project in Assistive Technology funded by the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (FINEP) at PUCRS, Brazil.

Fabiane de Oliveira Brauner, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Master's and Doctorate degrees from the Postgraduate Program in Medicine in Biomedical Gerontology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Currently, a postdoctoral researcher at PUCRS, working on the research project: Postural Orthoses for improving functional mobility and autonomy in elderly people, a grant from the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (FINEP) of PUCRS, Brazil.

Rafael Reimann Baptista, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Doctor of Human Movement Sciences and professor-researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), focusing on biomechanics, exercise physiology, and aging. He investigates the mechanisms of motor control, gait adaptations, and the impact of multicomponent interventions in elderly people, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis in movement science and clinical decision-making.

Anelise Crippa Silva, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Doctorate in Biomedical Gerontology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Post-doctorate in Law from PUCRS. Has experience in the field of Law, mainly working on the following topics: conflict mediation, rights of the elderly, civil procedural law, family law and bioethics.

Douglas Kazutoshi Sato, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Doctor of Neurology from Tohoku University, Medical Doctor neurologist, full member and member of the Medical Education Committee of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology. PQ2 Researcher of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Full Professor at the School of Medicine of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). His research lines are in areas of knowledge related to medicine, focusing on neuroscience, neuroinflammation and aging. Professor/advisor, teaches courses in the area of ​​neurology and research in the postgraduate programs of the School of Medicine of PUCRS.

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Published

2025-12-05

How to Cite

Biehl Printes , C., de Oliveira Brauner, F., Reimann Baptista, R., Crippa Silva, A., & Kazutoshi Sato, D. (2025). Physical Activity Incentive Program for Older People: cost-Utility and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) Cost-Utility and QALYs of a Multicomponent Program for Older Adults. PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2025.1.47727

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025): Volume único - Fluxo contínuo

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Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Clarissa Biehl Printes , Fabiane de Oliveira Brauner, Rafael Reimann Baptista, Anelise Crippa Silva, Douglas Kazutoshi Sato

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.