This is from my weekly email newsletter but I republish it here for sharing and referencing. If you're not already a subscriber you can join below:
Physically speaking, humans seem kinda lame compared to most animals. We're not particularly strong or fast. We have tiny teeth and no claws. Compared to our primate relatives we suck at climbing.
But in realty, humans actually have two superpowers which helped us climb to the top of the evolutionary pyramid.
Our first superpower is probably the most obvious, our big brains. Most of us are quite intelligent compared to your average chimpanzee.
But our second superpower is a little less obvious. It's hidden because most of us don't really use it that much. For those of us that do, it usually doesn't feel all that impressive. But leading anthropologist have good reason to believe that our bodies have evolved to optimize for precisely this superpower.
That superpower is ... running.
As an aside, I highly recommend checking out my article Butts, Brains, and Foot Tech to get a little background on the evolutionary history of running and how it was used by primitive humans to survive.
Regardless, it turns out that our ability to run long distances is in many ways what makes us human and distinguishes us from other primates.
We are the running monkeys.
Monkey running ...
Running monkey running ...
Several years ago, biologist Dennis Bramble and anthropologist Daniel Lieberman published a paper in Nature called Endurance Running and the Evolution of Homo in which they make a biological case for why humans are designed for endurance running.
There are a handful of physical adaptation that make humans superior endurance runners.
Humans are super efficient runners compared to other animals. A big part of this is that we walk on two legs, have big tendons in our ankles, and arches in our feet. This makes us springy.
In addition, we have long legs and short toes which enables us to take long strides and optimize the amount of contact with the ground.
Another benefit of being upright is that while running our internal organs don't collide with our lungs and diaphragm. As a result we can breath independently of our stride.
This is a big deal because unlike horses, for example, which can only breath once per stride, we can cover more distance with each breath.
This gives us amazing aerobic efficiency.
Unlike quadrupeds (horses, zebras, dogs etc.) which tend to have complex gait patterns, humans basically have two.
Walking and running.
Once we start running however, we have a lot of control over our speed without needing to change gaits. This gives us the ability to efficiently change pace depending on the terrain and distance.
Humans have uniquely wide joint surfaces in our legs which enables us to absorb a lot of the shock associated with running.
In addition, we have a unique tendon in our neck which helps to stabilize our head while running. This "nuchal ligament" prevents our heads from lurching forward mid stride and improves our ability to breathe (and think probably) while running.
Unlike other primates, humans have a strong and flexible torso which enables us to keep our chest and head more stable despite the twisting of our hips while running. Not only does this make running more comfortable but also helps to support optimal breathing.
Humans are world class sweaters. Our naked bodies and active sweat glands make our ability to release heat unparalleled. While it may not seem obvious, this natural system for thermoregulation makes us excellently suited for long runs.
If running isn't your thing, no worries, there's lots of other ways to keep in good health. However, it's worth noting that whether or not you like it, your body was built to run.
I'm not saying you need to start running barefoot and naked like our ancient ancestors but it definitely can't hurt to go out for a jog if you're just getting started or, if you're more experienced, learn how you can optimize your gait to take better advantage of your superpower.
Enjoy 🍌
Nick