Where Did You Get Those Genes?

     Have you ever heard of the saying, “The only thing constant in life is change.”?  It seems as if society hasn’t taken the time to consider the impact of change on our current daily lives in comparison to the past.  Cultural advancements that make our life relatively less complicated has also lulled us into a false sense of satiety, which takes away our readiness to be prepared for change.  The word evolution has to be put into perspective.  Almost everyone is familiar with the theory of evolution, which has nothing to do with practical application for today.  Evolution is, simply, change or progression, or growth, or maturation.  Evolutionary biology is a term that I will share to increase the understanding of our “genes” and how it relates to how we function in today’s society, and how our bodies respond to various forms of activities and nutrients.  I’m also going to introduce some individuals who have premises that are going to inspire a greater level of consciousness about our environment.  I will focus on the concept of evolutionary biology, the importance of energy expenditure, and strategies to maintain behavior adaptation and energy balance to prove that change throughout time has an impact on how we live with function or dysfunction today.
     To begin the conversation of “Evolutionary Biology”, we have to consider the fact that most of us keep evolutionary concepts in history books because we know that there is no practical application for it in today’s society.  That’s not true because during ancient times (50,000-10,000 BC), mankind lived in periods of a feast and famine cycle (hunter/gatherer lifestyle), which our ancient ancestors needed for survival (2, 5).  Herman Pontzer noted that the evolutionary perspective is powerful yet straightforward: the human body has been shaped through natural selection to meet a particular set of ecological conditions and challenges (4).  Physical activity, food, reproduction; this was their concern!  It goes without saying that in times of feast, there was physical activity; in times of famine, there was rest.  This kind of behavior sets in motion a behavior pattern coupled with the physiology (genes/genotype) that signals the body to either thrive of conserve.  Our bodies are programmed to recognize energy expenditure for survival, or preservation of life.  We must give our bodies the right signals to thrive, or live.  The time is now to understand energy expenditure and how it applies to our “thrifty genes”.
     There are a few changes that have occurred in our genes or gene sequences over the past 10,000 years, and certainly not in the last 40 years (2).  Our environment, or ecological condition, demands that we engage in physical activity.  Why?; we live in a time of abundance.  “Thrifty genes, through the course of evolution, function as being exceptionally efficient in the intake and/or utilization of food (2).  A sedentary lifestyle gives the signal for the body to store and not use nutrients efficiently.  There are many chronic illnesses that are being called “diseases of affluence” due to the over abundance state in this country (4).  We cannot be content with this knowing our physiological gene expression is dependant on physical activity, however slight.  A TEE (Total Energy Expenditure) study was conducted showing that it is a process that is shared by all of our organs; it is not a product of body size and physical activity (4).  An ideal state is to have our energy (caloric) expenditure higher during times of rest than at times of physical activity.
     Our BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the body’s process of energy expenditure at rest, and the first strategy to give thriving signals to the body is environmental awareness.  Increasing our BMR begins with activities that focus on muscular contraction in its simplest form (i.e. pushing, pulling, rotating, level changing).  These movements are used for survival (work), causes automatic interaction with our environment.  Secondly, we must also have sedentary awareness.  Just because there is a demand for results that we entrust machines to produce for us, that doesn’t mean we remove something that has been with us since the beginning of time — self preservation during times of change.
     Everything will cease to exist, as we know it, if we don’t take care of ourselves and the environment.
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1. Aspen Institute. Physical Literacy: A Global Environment Scan. Washington D.C.: The Aspen Institute, 2015.

2. Chakravarthy M, Booth F. Eating, exercise and “thrifty” genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2004; 96:3-10.

3. Farrey, Tom. Sport for All Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game. Sports & Society—The Aspen Institute (Washington D.C.). 26 January 2015. Web Pdf. 01 SEP 2015.

4. Pontzer, Herman. Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and the Evolutionary Biology of Energy Balance. ACSM’s Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews. 2015; 43(3): 110-116.

5. Ribisl, Paul. Darwin Was Wrong: The Thrifty Genotype and Demise of the Fittest. ACSM’s HealthFitness J. 2004; 8(2): 19-21.

6. Whitehead, Margaret. Physical Literacy: Philosophical considerations in relation to developing a sense of self, universality, and propositional knowledge. www.physicalliteracy.org.uk. June 2007.

Physical Literacy: May The Force Be With Us!

     In my May article of “Positive Youth Development”, I introduced physical literacy and explained how it is the ability, confidence, and desire to be physically active according to the Aspen Institute’s report “Project Play, A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game” (3).  I also expressed that physical education plays a large role in the development of self expression, but how did we come to conceptualize the word physical literacy?  Countries all over the world have already started generating waves of enthusiasm when it comes to their research and application of making this concept a reality, and the United States is now calling upon organizations to ensure that our efforts are experienced on local and national levels.  We are just getting started and the foundation is strong for us to build upon for many years to come.  This journey of physical literacy began with Margaret Whitehead, the founder of this modern movement.  I will begin to share various schools of thought that helped give birth to this concept and connect it to the “Force” from the movie Star Wars as an analogy to illustrate the significance of interaction with our surroundings.  I will also mention several countries with their initiatives, and how we must be global-minded for our communities to flourish.  The history of physical literacy dates back to the 1990’s.  Margaret Whitehead recognized various debates surrounding education and the need for the improvement of quality of life issues in the United Kingdom.  Philosophy was instrumental in the development of the physical literacy discussion because Margaret noted the premise of most educationalists and philosophers dealt with our embodiment expressed as self-realization, perception, concept development, language formation, rationality, emotion, and the development of interpersonal relationships (6).  After much dialogue and study, it became clear to Margaret Whitehead that our embodiment through human experience is  the basis of how physical literacy can transform into something the whole world can benefit from.  Another key thought to mention is the inherent nature of our environment.  Margaret expressed an interesting point when she stated that “a child does not develop independently from its surroundings” (6).  Our human nature along  with our environment are integrative; we must remember this if we are to improve the physical literacy in this country.  So, with that being said, Margaret Whitehead defines physical literacy as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, understanding, and knowledge to maintain physical activity at an individually appropriate level throughout life (6).  This is how we make philosophy practical; by applying our knowledge to purpose, or function — “The Force”.  Physical literacy can also be described as the ability and motivation to capitalize on our motile potential to make a significant contribution to the quality of life (6).  There is a common theme in physical literacy: motivation.  Movement automatically motivates us because it is what we are designed to do, and to have an impact on the lives of others also.
     The composition of our environment supplies what we need to function.  In the movie “Star Wars”, there is a connection between the environment and those who are sensitive (aware) to the energy that has an impact, or collaborative effort on their thoughts, feelings, and movement — “The Force”.  In physical literacy, the energy received based on our movement allows the body to move in different patterns needed for different life situations.  As in the “Force”, we have an innate potential that helps us develop strength in various capacities so we can also be involved in activities of greater demand.  The Aspen Institute’s report, mentioned earlier, list eight strategies to inspire our youth and the nation to meet long term challenges by having “pride in ownership” with this potential.
     It is good to learn from the success of others.  Collaboration means that there will always be a fresh outlook in anything ventured.  The following countries listed share these accomplishments toward physical literacy awareness; (a) the development of its own definition of physical literacy, (b) initiatives that deliver physical literacy programs through sport and education, (c) initiatives with effective messaging strategies, (d) promotion of physical literacy efforts to policy makers to improve health care costs, (e) initiatives aimed at lower-income and undeserved populations through government-funded  programs, (f) grassroots support to implement physical-literacy-based programs, (g) and assessment tools to measure he outcomes of physical literacy: Canada, Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Venezuela, United States (1).
     Our environment needs us, and we need our environment; physical literacy reestablishes the connection, the energy, the “Force”, that will enable us to lay a sound foundation of productivity for future generations. 

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1. Aspen Institute. Physical Literacy: A Global Environment Scan. Washington D.C.: The Aspen Institute, 2015.

2. Chakravarthy M, Booth F. Eating, exercise and “thrifty” genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2004; 96:3-10.

3. Farrey, Tom. Sport for All Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game. Sports & Society—The Aspen Institute (Washington D.C.). 26 January 2015. Web Pdf. 01 SEP 2015.

4. Pontzer, Herman. Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and the Evolutionary Biology of Energy Balance. ACSM’s Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews. 2015; 43(3): 110-116.

5. Ribisl, Paul. Darwin Was Wrong: The Thrifty Genotype and Demise of the Fittest. ACSM’s HealthFitness J. 2004; 8(2): 19-21.

6. Whitehead, Margaret. Physical Literacy: Philosophical considerations in relation to developing a sense of self, universality, and propositional knowledge. www.physicalliteracy.org.uk. June 2007.

 

 

 

State of the Month Address: Be Vigilant!

     With the Fall season upon us, this is an excellent time to recover from some of the year’s most stressful times. This season also represents festive times, but those festive times can give way to some unexpected stressful times. What am I saying? You don’t want to enter this season with your guard down. Despite sincere intentions, anyone or anything may try to take advantage of you to ruin your expectations. We have heard and seen many disturbing reports in the news lately, but our take home message should be that we are not to live in fear; we must recover. In observance of National Recovery Month, I would like to encourage you to always stop and focus when you feel overwhelmed. Nothing is so important that you have to sacrifice your health and well being.
     This is also National Literacy Month. Reading and writing is a form of self expression that really shows how confident and secure a person is, and physical literacy works in the same manner. In this issue, I mentioned the definition of physical literacy with its associated characteristics a person will have after understanding its purpose. Physical literacy will increase the potential of any literacy deficit because of the very nature of physical literacy: self-realization with a focus on quality of life. Physical literacy can infiltrate any area of your life and make it better. Physical Literacy: there is more than enough to go around!
     Little did I know that my articles would go well with another theme or observance of this month — National Self Awareness Month. The advancement of technology is good, but this luxury and comfort comes with a cost. Being vigilant means recognizing distractions and having the will to not remove the reliance, or trust, you should have in yourself. In this day and age of dormancy due to our digital disposition, it’s alright to be bold and know who you are!
     Recovery, Literacy, and Self Awareness have one thing in common: making YOU better in a seemingly confusing environment at times. Tell yourself, “It’s O.K.” and know why you are on the earth. Be Vigilant!