Depending on whether one sees Homo Habilis or Homo Erectus as the ancestors of today’s humans, we are between 1.3 and 2.3 million years old and have always been in motion—hunting and searching for means of survival. The once-dominant species was gradually displaced by Homo Sapiens, around 300,000 years ago. Originating from Africa, modern humans spread nomadically across the entire world, penetrating even inhospitable areas like the Arctic with advancing technology. Daily, kilometer-long journeys were necessary to find fertile areas with wildlife. Homo sapiens were always in motion until settling around 13,000 years ago, practicing the first agriculture and animal husbandry. Over millions of years, evolution has developed a fantastic organism that can easily live to be 100 years old and completely renews itself from the inside every seven years, on average. An impressively complex system of body and mind has been reasonably well described but still not thoroughly understood in the depth and interaction of its functioning. However, one fact has evolved into a clear understanding: the majority of diseases in our modern civilization arise from insufficient movement. Since the beginning of industrialization in the late 18th century in England, the active human has been in retreat. In 1886, Carl Benz received the patent for Motorwagen No. 1. The automobile, derived from the Greek autos (self) and the Latin mobilis (movable), marked the beginning of the end of humans in motion. Shaped by millions of years of movement, human bodies have been condemned to stagnation for about 50 years. From bed to breakfast, taking the elevator to the underground garage, driving to work, into the elevator, into the office, sitting until lunch break, a few steps to the cafeteria, eating, back to the desk chair, and driving home by car at the end of the day. This is certainly an extreme example, but with the recent popularity of home offices, where the bed and desk are only a few meters apart, the immobility of Homo sapiens reaches its peak. To an impartial observer, it must seem paradoxical when we buy an expensive car and then become members of a fitness studio, running on a treadmill or sitting on a bike to compensate for the lack of movement instead of walking or cycling for short distances. While engaging in sports is a step in the right direction, it is often not sufficient to offset the negative consequences.
Lack of movement leads to muscle atrophy, causing them to no longer support our skeleton. Posture problems arise because the muscles no longer provide stability. The back hurts. Joint metabolism stagnates, toxins are no longer removed, and essential nutrients are not transported. Joints begin to ache. Fascia stick together, muscles rub against each other, and pain arises throughout the body. Additionally, fewer muscles require less energy intake. The mobile body system, designed for movement, starts to stutter. Exchange occurs very slowly, the intestines become sluggish, obesity develops, leading to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and ultimately becoming a cause of cancer. Stress hormones are not broken down, the mind feels overwhelmed, and depression and burnout occur. Although the causes and symptoms may be known to doctors and those affected, medicines are prescribed and taken against the symptoms. The body’s signals, pain, are chemically suppressed, instead of addressing the cause—lack of movement. The finely balanced system of the human body, developed over millions of years, is deprived of its abilities due to lack of movement. However, there is an alternative. Observing mobile 90- and 100-year-olds today, it becomes apparent that these fortunate few have not only moved sufficiently but adequately throughout their lives. Certainly, genetic defects leading to diseases cannot be solely remedied by movement. But undoubtedly, movement is what our body urgently needs, strengthening the immune system and significantly contributing to living a longer and healthier life. It is undoubtedly crucial to increase movement and flexibility as we age.
Movement is longevity!
