Cited by 67Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologyIndigenous Health and Education

Achieving Hunter-gatherer Fitness in the 21st Century: Back to the Future

Open access
O'Keefe, James H., Vogel, Robert, Lavie, Carl J., Cordain, Loren·2010·The American Journal of Medicine

Abstract

The systematic displacement from a very physically active lifestyle in our natural outdoor environment to a sedentary, indoor lifestyle is at the root of many of the ubiquitous chronic diseases that are endemic in our culture. The intuitive solution is to simulate the indigenous human activity pattern to the extent that this is possible and practically achievable. Suggestions for exercise mode, duration, intensity, and frequency are outlined with a focus on realigning our daily physical activities with the archetype that is encoded within our genome.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.04.026

Cites

39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Our results are consistent with the growing body of evidence that shows many benefits of exercise at relatively low to moderate intensity, and with assertions that among hunter-gatherers, the diversity of activities performed are of moderate and not vigorous intensity.

    “Our results are consistent with the growing body of evidence that shows many benefits of exercise at relatively low to moderate intensity [47], and with assertions that among hunter-gatherers, the diversity of activities performed are of moderate and not vigorous intensity [8].”
  • Inactivity is more common today than in historical times.

    “Historical evidence shows that physical inactivity is prevalent in today's society relative to historical levels (385).”

    From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [385]

  • Modern hunter-gatherers' daily physical activity energy expenditure is at least 600 kcal more than that of the average U.S. sedentary adult.

    “The modern hunter-gatherers' daily estimated energy expenditures for physical activity are at least 600 kcal more than the average U.S. sedentary adult of today, as documented in column labeled “EE PA” (Table 7) (385).”

    From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [385]

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1 of the 40 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Eaton SB, Shostak M, Konner M. The first fitness formula. In: The Paleolithic Prescription. New York: Harper & Row; 1988:168-199.
  2. White LJ, Dressendorfer RH, Muller SM, Ferguson MA. Effectiveness of cycle cross-training between competitive seasons in female distance runners. J Strength Cond Res. 2003;17:319-323.

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Authors
O'Keefe, J. H., Vogel, R., Lavie, C. J., & Cordain, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Maryland, College Park (US)
  • Colorado State University (US)
Venue
The American Journal of Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-12
Volume
123
Issue
12
Pages
1082-1086
ISSN
0002-9343 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2158985077
Cited by
67
References
40
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 8
FWCI
0.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The American Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Indigenous Health and Education
Keywords
hunter-gatherer lifestyle, sedentary lifestyle, chronic disease, physical activity, exercise prescription, outdoor activities, human evolution, exercise intensity and duration
MeSH terms
Energy Intake, Chronic Disease, Cultural Characteristics, Humans, Life Style, Obesity, Physical Fitness, Exercise, Sedentary Behavior

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