Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
Compr Physiol. 2011 Oct;1(4):1649-78. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c100065.
The scientific study of human development has evolved from studies of children to studies of the full lifespan. Many physiological changes occur throughout the lifespan and unique changes occur during normal development compared to healthy aging. An enlarging body of data supports the idea that there exist critical periods of development during which physiological perturbations to the internal milieu (e.g., disease or physical activity) can alter the overall programming of developmental processes. Although different physiological functions decline with age with widely varying rates, the aging changes accumulated throughout the physiological systems reduce the capacity to cope with the stress and maintain homeostasis. The understanding of this process of development and aging is complicated by important physiologic sex differences with regard to nearly all physiological systems. Regular physical activity can favorably modulate this developmental and aging process and can have important health benefits. However, a physically inactive lifestyle can markedly impair normal development and lead to numerous diseases. Life-long physical activity is essential for preserving or delaying the onset of functional disability and chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
人类发展的科学研究已经从儿童研究发展到了整个生命周期的研究。整个生命周期中会发生许多生理变化，与健康衰老相比，正常发育过程中会发生独特的变化。越来越多的数据支持这样一种观点，即存在关键的发育时期，在此期间，对内环境（例如疾病或身体活动）的生理干扰会改变发育过程的整体编程。尽管不同的生理功能随年龄增长以不同的速度下降，但整个生理系统中积累的衰老变化会降低应对压力和维持体内平衡的能力。由于几乎所有生理系统都存在重要的生理性别差异，因此理解这一发育和衰老过程变得复杂。定期的身体活动可以有利地调节这一发育和衰老过程，并带来重要的健康益处。然而，不活跃的生活方式会显著损害正常发育，并导致许多疾病。终身的身体活动对于保持或延缓功能障碍和慢性心血管及代谢疾病的发生是必不可少的。
