A study assessing the impact of physical inactivity on national economies has suggested that if all adults aged 18-64 walked just 15 minutes more a day, the world economy would grow by an estimated $100bn a year until 2050.

The figure comes from a global study published by non-profit research institute RAND Europe and insurance giant Vitality. It shows that if people who are currently physically inactive were to reach the World Health Organization's recommended levels of exercise, employees would gain up to five additional days of productive time each year. This would result in the global economy to grow by an estimated US$220bn every year. The increase in activity levels would also lead in life expectancy to increase by at least 2.5 years, on average, for a person aged 40 years. In addition to getting inactive people active, if currently active people increased their physical activity levels by 20 per cent, the global economy could grow by in excess of US$360bn every year; equivalent to the size of Singapore's economy.

Economic gains for the US economy would add US$95bn (£73bn) a year to the economy until 2050, and US$11bn (£8.5bn) a year for the UK economy. "This ground-breaking study provides proof of the relationship between exercise, productivity, mortality and economic growth," said Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery Group, which owns Vitality.

"It strengthens our resolve to continue to encourage people to move more and become part of a global health movement." For the study, RAND Europe used a dynamic, multi-country macro-economic model to assess the impact of physical inactivity on national economies on a consistent basis, allowing for an aggregation of the effect to the global economy. The study synthesises the existing evidence on physical activity and mortality risk by taking study design and publication bias into account.

"This is the first time that a multi-country macroeconomic model has been applied to the area of physical activity, facilitating a detailed assessment of the current and future implications of insufficient physical activity," Hans Pung, president of RAND Europe added. "The study points to a significant relationship between inactivity and productivity loss, driven largely by ill-health related presenteeism. We hope that these insights will support policy makers and employers with new perspectives on how to enhance the productivity of their populations."

To find out more about the RAND/Vitality study, click here.

(Article source: www.sportsmanagement.co.uk)