Yet, this damage doesn’t need to be induced with heavily loaded squats. That’s not what primates were doing. Instead, it’s about regular movement at a moderate intensity exertion that will help you stay healthy in the long term.

“Critically, our health and how we perceive our health throughout our lives is not linear,” says Dr Bains. That means we may get sick and then recover, rather than our health being a constant downward trajectory. “But even for those living with long-term conditions, it is possible to live a fulfilling life in which we perceive ourselves to be ‘healthy’,” she adds.

“Increasing healthspan doesn’t require giant leaps in medical science. Many of the habits will be linked to those which we are engaging with to keep ourselves healthier in the short-term,” says Dr Bains.

That might go against what we think we know about maintaining health – but it really could be as simple as moving enough right now.

Are you feeling less tempted to skip your lunchtime walk now?

Forget longevity – it's healthspan you should be trying to increase (and here's how to do that)