May 28, 2025

Move GLP-1 Success whitepaper: how movement anchors GLP-1 success to save millions

GLP-1 medications are transforming obesity care. Without addressing inactivity and muscle loss, employers risk a new wave of MSK claims. Up to 70% of GLP-1 users discontinue use within a year¹, and many regain weight after treatment ends. Movement is the missing link to lasting results, improved quality of life, and sustainable cost control.

GLP-1s can cost employers up to $10,000 per member annually², yet many of these dollars are going to members without long-term habit change.

Leading employers are solving for this risk by adding structured movement plans to support GLP-1 use and protect lean muscle mass.

In this exclusive white paper, Sword Health explores how Sword Move complements GLP-1 strategies by reinforcing sustainable physical activity. If your organization is investing in GLP-1s, this is essential reading.

39%
of lean body mass is lost during GLP-1 usage³
69%
of active and insufficiently active members members reach active or healthy active status within 10 weeks⁴

Muscle retention is an ROI-protector for GLP-1 care plans

Up to 39% of lean body mass is lost during GLP-1 use⁵
1 in 4 Americans engage in regular physical activity⁶
Inactivity contributes to 27% of total employee medical spend⁷
Sarcopenia contributes nearly $900 in excess healthcare costs per employee each year⁸
78% of Move users report feeling moderately better or much better⁹
69% of active and insufficiently active members members reach active or healthy active status within 10 weeks¹⁰

Contributors to White Paper

Sword Team

Experts in pain, movement, and digital health

Share the GLP-1 cost-saving whitepaper

Footnotes

Wilding JPH et al. “Sustainability of weight loss with GLP-1 receptor agonists: a retrospective real-world study.” PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38717042/

WTW. “GLP-1 drugs: implications for employer health plans.” WTW Insights. February 2024. https://www.wtwco.com/en-us/insights/2024/02/glp-1-drugs-implications-for-employer-health-plans

Prado CM, Wells JC, Smith SR, Stephan BC, Siervo M. “Muscle matters: the effects of medically induced weight loss on skeletal muscle.” The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2024;12(11):785–787.

Sword Health. “MET-min analysis, Move Members 2024: over 500 MET-minutes per week.” Internal dataset.

Prado CM, Wells JC, Smith SR, Stephan BC, Siervo M. “Muscle matters: the effects of medically induced weight loss on skeletal muscle.” The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2024;12(11):785–787.

Elgaddal N, Kramarow EA, Reuben C. “Physical activity among adults aged 18 and over: United States, 2020.” NCHS Data Brief No. 443. National Center for Health Statistics, 2022. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:120213

Duijvestijn M, de Wit GA, van Gils PF, Wendel-Vos GCW. “Impact of physical activity on healthcare costs: a systematic review.” BMC Health Services Research. 2023;23(1):572. doi:10.1186/s12913-023-09556-8

Janssen I, Shepard DS, Katzmarzyk PT, Roubenoff R. “The healthcare costs of sarcopenia in the United States.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2004 Jan;52(1):80–85. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14687319/

Sword Health. Referencing “Members with 5+ activities and PGIC scores of 5 or higher.” Internal member base data, 2023–2024.

Sword Health. “MET-min analysis, Move Members 2024: over 500 MET-minutes per week.” Internal dataset.