If you want to shape up, follow the signs.

The health benefits of exercise, even low-impact, are numerous. A new study suggests fitness can be combined with historical sightseeing.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University wanted to determine whether park signs that encourage walking can boost the number of steps a visitor takes. They published their findings in the Journal of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Public Health.

The team placed two signs at various locations in Gettysburg National Park, prompting visitors to exercise by walking along a section of the battlefield or climbing a set of steps. The study was conducted over 16 days, with signs present on eight of the days.

One site encouraged visitors to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who were part of the 1-mile-long Pickett’s Charge trail. On days where the sign was posted in this area, 13 percent of visitors walked the trail compared with 4.6 percent on days when no sign was present.

Similar signs, however, did not prompt people to climb the stairs on a visitors’ tower. The researchers noted that timing and placement of the signs could be a factor. Visitors might be more inclined to engage in extra exercise earlier in their visit and if the trail is not too strenuous.

Still, these park managers should realize that doing something as simple as adding signs might not only help visitors better experience the park and live in that historic moment, they also can spur people to be more physically active and engage in healthy behavior.

It could be yet another benefit of taking time from your busy life to visit a historic park and to walk in the steps of the heroes who came long before you.