Volume 8, Issue 4 (Winter 2026)
Iran J Health Insur 2026, 8(4): 311-318 |
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Faghfouriazar M. The Role of Motor Activity and Motor Skills in Predicting Health Services Utilization Among Older Adults Covered by Health Insurance. Iran J Health Insur 2026; 8 (4) :311-318
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-407-en.html
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-407-en.html
Department of Physical Education, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran , m.faghfouriazar@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (161 Views)
Introduction: The increasing population of older adults is accompanied by prevalence of non-communicable diseases and decline in motor function, which may elevate health services utilization and impose financial burden on insurance systems. This study aimed to examine the role of physical activity and motor function in predicting health services utilization among older adults covered by health insurance.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive–analytical study included 250 men and women aged ≥60 years under health insurance coverage in Tehran, selected via multistage cluster sampling. Physical activity was assessed using the IPAQ-E questionnaire, motor function with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and health services utilization with a self-reported form including general practitioner visits, specialist visits, hospital admissions and daily medication use. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and simultaneous multiple regression in SPSS version 20.
Results: Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with all indices of health services utilization (P<0.01), while TUG time was significantly positively associated. Multiple regression analysis showed that 28% of the variance in health services utilization was explained by the predictor variables (R²=0.28). Motor function was the strongest predictor (β=0.38, P<0.001), and physical activity was also a significant negative predictor (β=-0.31, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Higher levels of physical activity and better motor function are associated with reduced health services utilization among older adults. Investment in structured physical activity programs and routine motor function screening may be an effective strategy to decrease healthcare costs and improve quality of life in health-insured older populations.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive–analytical study included 250 men and women aged ≥60 years under health insurance coverage in Tehran, selected via multistage cluster sampling. Physical activity was assessed using the IPAQ-E questionnaire, motor function with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and health services utilization with a self-reported form including general practitioner visits, specialist visits, hospital admissions and daily medication use. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and simultaneous multiple regression in SPSS version 20.
Results: Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with all indices of health services utilization (P<0.01), while TUG time was significantly positively associated. Multiple regression analysis showed that 28% of the variance in health services utilization was explained by the predictor variables (R²=0.28). Motor function was the strongest predictor (β=0.38, P<0.001), and physical activity was also a significant negative predictor (β=-0.31, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Higher levels of physical activity and better motor function are associated with reduced health services utilization among older adults. Investment in structured physical activity programs and routine motor function screening may be an effective strategy to decrease healthcare costs and improve quality of life in health-insured older populations.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/08/26 | Revised: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2025/12/30 | ePublished: 2026/02/3
Received: 2025/08/26 | Revised: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2025/12/30 | ePublished: 2026/02/3
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