Optimal Human Functioning Requires Exercise Across the Lifespan: Mobility in a 1g Environment Is Intrinsic to the Integrity of Multiple Biological Systems Sedentary behavior and a lack of a minimal or reinforcing loading may allow for exercise/loading-inhibited otherwise “silent” mutations in our genomes to overcome such inhibition and contribute to senescence, and what we now label “aging related” declines in integrity. As such, a more apt designation for exercise is that it is intrinsic to who we are, and optimal exercise is essential to maintain and sustain integrated optimal functioning. The unique blend of independent and integrated systems influenced by exercise defines how humans evolved to thrive in Earth’s 1g environment. This perspective is supported by Pontzer (2019), who discussed the role of exercise in human physiology as Homo sapiens evolved from great-ape lineages. Detailed investigation of how these 1g-related systems work, where they are controlled, and how they are regulated (and inter-regulated) by exercise and mobility may provide unique and significant new clues for maintaining optimal health and mitigating risks for loss of health.
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