Human beings evolved to keep on walking – and we must, say researchers from Harvard.
Primates live for around 40 years and spend most of their time sitting on their behinds. Hunter gatherers, on the other hand, are typically active for more than two hours per day and tend to live for another 30 years. Fossil finds show this is nothing new – they were also living this long 40,000 years ago.
Now scientists believe that it’s this movement that’s key to this extended life – and the older we get the more important it becomes. When older people exercise, say the findings, the micro damage caused to cartilage and muscle fibres prompts our bodies to build back the same cartilage and muscle fibres stronger than before. But this repair-improve process also has wider systemic benefit, say the researchers, lowering the risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and depression, releasing anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, and increasing blood flow.
More evidence to add to the pile that’s daily generated by #walk1000miles participants: walking is key to aging well and staying happy and healthy.
