Despite more access to exercise equipment than ever, the average American does roughly 30 minutes less physical activity a day than they did 200 years ago, while the average body temperature is lower than previously thought, a new study finds.
A group of researchers at Harvard University found that resting metabolic rate (RMR), or the number of calories burned has declined six percent since 1820.
The level of 'moderate to vigorous' physical activity has declined by approximately 27 minutes per day during the time period as well.
The culprit? Technology, the researchers say.
Though a number of previous studies have noted that technological and social changes have reduced the overall level of physical activity, this study and its startling results are the first time it has ever been calculated for U.S. population.
Despite more access to exercise equipment than ever, the average American does roughly 30 minutes less physical activity a day than they did 200 years ago, while the average body temperature is lower than previously thought
'Instead of walking to work, we take cars or trains; instead of manual labor in factories, we use machines,' said the study's lead author, Andrew Yegian, in a statement.
'We've made technology to do our physical activity for us….Our hope is that this helps people think more about the long-term changes of activity that have come with our changes in lifestyle and technology.'
A group of researchers at Harvard University found that resting metabolic rate (RMR), or the number of calories burned has declined six percent since 1820.
The findings come after scientists at Stanford University found that the average body temperature of Americans declined to 97.5° Fahrenheit during the period, below the 'well-established 98.6° Fahrenheit.
In their findings, the Harvard researchers analyzed data from the past two centuries that the body temperature declined at a steady rate of 0.03°C per decade in both men and women since 1820.
Additionally, they also used previous studies to note 'a similar decline in [body temperature] was observed among Bolivian horticulturalists undergoing rapid market integration (transitioning from
