Endurance running hypothesis

The endurance running hypothesis is the theory that the evolution of certain human characteristics can be explained as adaptations to long-distance running.

Persistence hunting

The theory states that prior to the invention of the first projectile weapon (the spear) 200,000 years ago, ancient humans would use persistence hunting as their method of hunting animals, whereby, rather than outpacing animals, they would chase the animals over long distances until the animals would overheat and then kill them with a sharp object.^[1] Thus, adaptations favouring long-distance running ability would have been favoured in humans. After projectile weapons were developed – in evolutionarily recent times – the importance of long-distance running became lessened but the traits remained.

Relation to modern human traits

Proponents claim that the endurance running hypothesis explains traits in modern humans, including:

• Hairlessness and an abundance of sweat glands, as a heat loss mechanism^[2]
• Short toes^[3]
• Large gluteal muscles^[4]
• Human aptitude for endurance events such as ultra marathons
• Increased bodyfat
• Long legs with springy tendons^[5]
• Intolerance of sedentary lifestyle, regarding obesity and diabetes related pathologies
• Ability to breathe through the mouth while running

They claim that these traits often have little role in walking or other day-to-day activities.^[6]

See also

• Aquatic ape hypothesis

References

1. ^ The endurance running hypothesis, the idea that humans evolved as long-distance runners, may have legs thanks to a new study on toes. SEED Magazine
2. ^ Why Are Humans Hairless and Sweaty? Softpedia.
3. ^ Walking, running and the evolution of short toes in humans
4. ^ Evolution of the Long Distance Runner
5. ^ Humans hot, sweaty, natural-born runners Physorg.
6. ^ Chen, Ingfei (2006-05). "Born To Run". Discover Magazine. http://discovermagazine.com/2006/may/tramps-like-us/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=. Retrieved 2009-08-28.