The look, fitness level and health of today’s western population is very different from that of our ancient ancestors. Anthropological scientists think a major reason today’s western society is riddled with chronic health issues is that we are expressing hunter-gatherer genes in an environment that is predominantly sedentary. In other words, our genes expect the body to be in a physically active state to function normally.
It seems without a certain threshold of physical activity the genes will start to express an unhealthy bodily disease state. Indeed, there are plenty of studies that indicate that habitual exercise in sedentary culture restores health towards what humans are meant to experience. For example:
- Women who walked briskly at least 3 h/week or exercised vigorously for 1.5 h/week, reduced the risk of coronary heart disease by 30–40%.
- Likewise, men who exercised enough to “sweat” once per week were 24% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared with men who did not exercise.
- Furthermore, if the frequency of exercise was 2–4 times per week, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes was reduced by 39%.
- Fit men have greater longevity than unfit men regardless of their body composition or other risk factor status.
Every day I see more active clients having a healthier spine than less active people. The spine is made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles and they all need movement to stay healthy. So, let’s get your spine moving in 2021!