People run, as do many other land animals, but how well adapted are we humans to this activity? Is it little more than a current cultural trend beyond quick sprints?
I was surprised to find that there is an abundance of research and thinking around the idea that humans had specific evolutionary selection pressure for endurance running.
...not only can humans outlast horses, but over long distances and under the right conditions, they can also outrun just about any other animal on the planet—including dogs, wolves, hyenas, and antelope, the other great endurance runners. From our abundant sweat glands to our Achilles tendons, from our big knee joints to our muscular glutei maximi, human bodies are beautifully tuned running machines.
http://discovermagazine.com/2006/may/tramps-like-us
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting
I am not convinced, however. I think, more than for hunting, we probably did something noble like trot over to the next tribe, wage war, steal women, and drag them back.
I was surprised to find that there is an abundance of research and thinking around the idea that humans had specific evolutionary selection pressure for endurance running.
...not only can humans outlast horses, but over long distances and under the right conditions, they can also outrun just about any other animal on the planet—including dogs, wolves, hyenas, and antelope, the other great endurance runners. From our abundant sweat glands to our Achilles tendons, from our big knee joints to our muscular glutei maximi, human bodies are beautifully tuned running machines.
http://discovermagazine.com/2006/may/tramps-like-us
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting
I am not convinced, however. I think, more than for hunting, we probably did something noble like trot over to the next tribe, wage war, steal women, and drag them back.
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