The secret to easier exercise as an adult may start in childhood

Exercise during childhood could have a surprising lifelong benefit, potentially making physical activity less exhausting in adulthood. In a study involving guinea fowl, researchers discovered that birds accustomed to carrying weights while growing up could carry those weights as adults without using extra energy, while untrained birds burned 23% more. The secret to easier exercise as an adult may start in childhood.

The secret to easier exercise as an adult may start in childhood Science News from research organizations The secret to easier exercise as an adult may start in childhood A surprising new study suggests that staying active while growing up could make exercise easier and less exhausting for the rest of your life. A new study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that physical activity early in life may have lasting effects on movement efficiency. Using birds as a model, the scientists provided the first direct evidence that experiences during development can change how much energy animals expend when moving as adults.

According to Jonas Rubenson, a professor of kinesiology at Penn State, the ability to move efficiently could play an important role in animal evolution. Animals that spend less energy getting around may have more resources available for essential activities such as finding food, hunting, and reproducing. The findings, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences, suggest that the energy demands of movement are more adaptable than scientists previously believed.

To investigate, the researchers attached small weights to one leg of young guinea fowl, birds closely related to chickens that walk on two legs like humans.