What causes individuals to excel as long-distance runners?
The ability to run for long distances has been deeply ingrained in human anatomy. This is according to a recent study that sheds light on the reasons behind why humans have become such exceptional long-distance specialists and the advantages we possess.
Many animals, particularly sprinters, surpass us in speed. However, humans thrive in endurance running. A study published in the journal "Nature Human Behavior" suggests that our endurance running capabilities could be linked to hunting practices in the past. The inefficiency of endurance hunting, which involves tirelessly chasing prey to exhaustion, may represent a key aspect of our current way of life.
A glance at our physique reveals that evolution has designed us for an upright walking gait. This is evident in the shape of our feet, leg muscles and tendons, pelvis, spine, and ribcage. These features have been specifically adapted for running.
In comparison to fast-running animals such as gazelles or cheetahs, humans are not exceptional in their sprinting ability. On the other hand, our endurance is remarkable. Among primates, we are the only species capable of running on two legs for extended periods. This is demonstrated by individuals who run marathons, which involve running 42.195 kilometers nonstop.
Two unique features in mammals aid our endurance: firstly, our locomotor muscles are predominantly made up of fatigue-resistant fibers. Secondly, during vigorous activity, we can effectively dissipate the heat generated metabolically by sweating. This is like having built-in air conditioning. Marathon runners, for instance, expel an average of one and a half liters of sweat per hour.
The reason we developed these characteristics remains a subject of debate. Half a century ago, US evolutionary biologist David Carrier proposed that our ancestors may have filled a new niche as diurnal endurance hunters during extremely hot conditions.
However, the researchers had two objections to this theory. Firstly, running—especially compared to walking—would consume a significant amount of energy, and secondly, there are few reports of modern humans employing this strategy in hunting. These factors suggest that endurance hunting may not be an effective method.
Eugène Morin, a scientist from Trent University in Canada, and Bruce Winterhalder, a scientist from the University of California, have devised models to compare the energy gain of endurance running with other hunting methods. They discovered that the caloric yield from endurance hunting is sufficient to render running a favorable hunting strategy.
Additionally, Morin and Winterhalder compiled a database of ethnographic and ethnohistorical literature spanning from the early 1500s to the early 2000s. This investigation revealed nearly 400 instances of people using endurance running in hunting. The examples, which come from across the globe and diverse ecosystems, indicate that endurance hunting is not as uncommon as previously believed.
For example, the Gwich'in, an indigenous group in the border region between Canada and Alaska, were reported to have hunted moose using endurance running on snowshoes back in the 1800s. Likewise, the Bororo, a Brazilian indigenous people, were noted for their impressive endurance in hunting using horses and dogs.
The study also suggests that the perception of endurance hunting as costly and ineffective could be influenced by modern lifestyles. According to the researchers, studies indicate that the exertion experienced during walking is rated higher by sedentary individuals than by active individuals.
Ultimately, the study implies that these examples of endurance hunting, while younger than the evolution of the traits involved, may offer hints about a potential origin through natural selection. It is likely that long-distance running served as a hunting strategy for our ancestors millions of years ago.
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The behavioral research in this field further supports the notion that our education and understanding of our evolutionary history can provide insights into our physical abilities. For instance, some animals, like cheetahs, excel in short-distance sprinting, but behavioral research in animal ecology shows that our endurance abilities, developed through evolution, give us an edge in long-distance activities, such as education-inspired marathons.
Moreover, this evolutionary understanding of human behavioral traits can lead to innovative approaches in animal behavioral research in education, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of animal adaptations and capabilities.
Source: www.ntv.de
