Physical Activity

Did you know? Early humans were more active than we are today.

THEN: Our ancestors often walked all day, actively gathering food and hunting.

NOW: Humans have an amazing endurance capacity! Our skeleton, muscles and cardiovascular system are adapted to be on the go for a big part of the day. We are NOT adapted to sit in chairs for hours on end or travel to places by car.

To maintain health and reduce the risk of chronic disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association both recommend that:
• Adults should get AT LEAST 30 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic activity most days of the week.
• Children should get MORE—at least 60 minutes a day.
• We should all do strength-training exercises AT LEAST twice a week. Well-toned muscles burn calories even when we are sitting still. Strength-training exercises help make bones stronger.

Healthy Habits:

Regular walking cuts your risk of heart attack in half, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, reduces stickiness of the blood and promotes weight loss. Walking is an excellent relief from stress, especially if you walk outside in open or wooded spaces. This is also a great way to connect to the natural world. If you walk four times briskly around Wade Oval, at University Circle, that would count as your 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise for the day!

Resources:

For more health information, visit:
www.cdc.gov
www.americanheart.org

The Natural History of Health: By understanding our past,
we can improve our future.