You hear all the time that physical exercise is important to your health, not just to improve chronic conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or diabetes, but there is a hypothesis stating that being an active grandparent can be the key to a longer and better “health” span.

“A review published Monday in PNAS, Lieberman along with his Harvard co-authors seek to tackle the active grandparent hypothesis.” Lieberman uses biomedical and evolutionary science to demonstrate how crucial physical activity is, especially in and after middle age, for longevity and minimizing the possibility of disease acquirement.

The active grandparent hypothesis shows the need for constant physicality as a product of evolution. The central theme of the hypothesis is “that [physical activity] promotes health by allocating energy away from potentially harmful overinvestments in fat storage and reproductive tissues and propose the novel hypothesis that [physical activity] also stimulates energy allocation toward repair and maintenance processes.”

In other words, being physically active, especially in and after middle age, focuses our body away from chronic disease issues and kicks our bodies into a “repair and maintenance” mode, which contributes to a longer and healthier life.

Besides this interesting hypothesis, the benefits of exercise are bountiful. From mood improvement to weight loss, there are many reasons to take a brisk walk or a water aerobics class.

If it has been a while since you have hit the gym or gone on a run, start slow and seek guidance from your doctor to avoid any injuries and participate in the safest physical activity possible.

Other activities, such as swimming or water aerobics, provide a safe way to get your exercise on, especially if you have trouble walking. If you have grandchildren and want to embrace the active grandparent hypothesis, embark on adventure dates with the younger generation. Set time aside to not just visit with family, but to go on a walk on the beach, a bicycle ride, or even a trip to the local zoo! It can be a nice way of being active while bonding with your family and living a fulfilling life.

If you need guidance and have symptoms of PAD, Dr. David Nabi at NewportVascular.com can help you get back on the right path to healing and health.