Taking it easy as you get older is wrong

Research outlines how longer lives are tied to physical activity

Taking it easy as you get older is wrong. A team of evolutionary biologists and biomedical researchers. layout evolutionary and biomedical evidence showing that humans, who evolved to live many decades after they stopped reproducing. Also evolved to be relatively active in their later years. Hence, the researchers say that physical activity later in life shifts energy away from processes that can compromise health.

But toward mechanisms in the body that extend it. Besides, they hypothesize that humans evolved to remain physically active as they age. Thereby, in doing so to allocate energy to physiological processes that slow the body’s gradual deterioration over the years. So, this guards against chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

As We Get Older It Is Normal To Slow Down

Taking it easy as you get older is wrong. It’s a widespread idea in Western societies that as we get older, it’s normal to slow down, do less, and retire. However, a Harvard evolutionary biologist? Daniel E. Lieberman, the paper’s lead author. Also, said our message is the reverse: As we get older, it becomes even more important to stay physically active.

The research team, which includes Aaron Baggish and I-Min Lee from Harvard Medical School, believes the paper is the first detailed evolutionary explanation for why lack of physical activity as humans age increases disease risk and reduces longevity.

The Study

Taking it easy as you get older is wrong. The study uses humans’ ape cousins as a jumping-off point. The researchers point out that apes, which usually live only about 35 to 40 years in the wild. And rarely survive past menopause, are considerably less active than most humans. Also, suggesting that there was a selection in human evolution not just to live longer but to be more physically active.

“We evolved basically from couch potatoes,” said Lieberman who has twice observed wild chimpanzees in Tanzania and been surprised by how much of their day is spent “sitting on their butts, digesting.”

Hunter Gatherers Lived Longer Than We Thought

Taking it easy as you get older is wrong. This is especially jarring when contrasted against contemporary hunter-gatherers. And who average about 135 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. Besides, that level of movement, about six to ten times more than average Americans. Thus, it may be one of the keys to why hunter-gatherers who survived childhood tended to live about seven decades. In this case, approximately 20 years past the age at which humans generally stop having children. By the way, fossil evidence indicates that these extended lifespans were common 40,000 years ago. Thereby, contrary to the belief that human lifespans until recently were short. After, the team emphasized that the key health benefit of physical activity is to extend the human healthspan. Also defined, as the years of life spent in good health.

Results Of Research

Researchers examined two pathways by which lifelong physical activity reallocates energy to improve health. So then, the first involves dealing excess energy away from potentially harmful mechanisms, like excess fat storage. Furthermore, the team also identified how physical activity allocates energy to repair and maintenance processes. Also, the paper shows that besides burning calories, physical activity is physiologically stressful. And causes damage to the body at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Besides, the body’s response to this damage, however, is essentially, to build back stronger.

This includes repairing tears in muscle fibres, repairing cartilage damage, and healing microfractures. In addition, the response also causes the release of exercise-related antioxidants and anti-inflammatories and enhances blood flow. And, in the absence of physical activity, these responses are activated much less. Besides, the cellular and DNA repair processes have been shown to lower the risk of diabetes, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and depression.

Physical Activity Levels Have Been Decreasing

The key take-home point is that because we evolved to be active throughout our lives. So then, our bodies need physical activity to age well. In the past, daily physical activity was necessary in order to survive. However, today we have to choose to exercise and do voluntary physical activity for the sake of health and fitness.

The research team, hope the study makes that message harder to ignore. Physical activity levels have been decreasing worldwide as machines and technology replace human labour. A recent study from Lieberman’s lab showed that Americans are engaging in less physical activity than they did 200 years ago. The researchers’ advice? Get out of your chair and get in some exercise.

Doing Something Is Better Than Nothing

The key is to do something and to try to make it enjoyable so you’ll keep doing it. Also, the good news is that you don’t need to be as active as a hunter-gatherer. Even small amounts of physical activity — just 15 or 30 minutes a day — substantially lower your risk of mortality.”

Comment From Ian

I am proof that this is absolutely correct, luckily I realised and did something to turn it around. Our bodies need movement, they do not do well sitting for long periods, remember motion is lotion. We all have to sit and sometimes that is for too long, so get into the habit of getting up and walking around every 30 to 40 minutes for about a minimum of 3 to 4 minutes.

In Conclusion

Physical activity is extremely important for your health, also your longevity. However you do not need to do hours of exercise every day. So then, you should do 15 to 30 minutes, a simple walk has benefits, that will help you. So then, if you extend that time, the benefits will increase. Also, resistance exercises, are extremely important to retain muscle strength.

Important Note *

Remember that everyone is different, and it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to. So please do your due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.

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