Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
08:26
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
The evolution of marathon running : capabilities in humans
Daniel E Lieberman1, Dennis M Bramble
1Department of Anthropology and Organismic, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. danlieb@fas.harvard.edu
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|May 1, 2007
Summary
Humans possess unique endurance running abilities, especially in hot climates, due to specialized physical traits. These adaptations likely evolved around 2 million years ago to aid early human ancestors in hunting and survival.
Area of Science:
- Human evolution
- Paleoanthropology
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Humans exhibit remarkable endurance running capabilities, particularly in challenging hot and arid environments.
- These abilities are uncommon among mammals and unique within the primate order.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specialized physiological and anatomical features enabling human long-distance running.
- To explore the evolutionary origins and adaptive significance of human endurance running.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of human physical adaptations for running.
- Review of fossil evidence and paleoenvironmental data.
- Examination of biomechanical and thermoregulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Humans possess specialized lower limb biomechanics for efficient energy storage and release during running.
- Unique thermoregulatory adaptations allow for sustained performance in high temperatures.
- These traits likely emerged approximately 2 million years ago.
Conclusions:
- Human endurance running is supported by a suite of specialized anatomical and physiological traits.
- These adaptations provided a significant evolutionary advantage for early hominids, potentially aiding in resource acquisition.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
02:37Gene Duplication and Divergence
The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
01:20Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:15Construction of Frequency Distribution
A frequency distribution table can be constructed using the steps given below.
First, make a table with two columns—one with the title of the data that needs to be organized, and the other column for frequency. [Draw a third column for tally marks if needed]. Then, take a look at the items given in the data set and decide if an ungrouped frequency distribution table or a grouped frequency distribution table would be more suitable. If there are large sets of different values, then it is best to...
First, make a table with two columns—one with the title of the data that needs to be organized, and the other column for frequency. [Draw a third column for tally marks if needed]. Then, take a look at the items given in the data set and decide if an ungrouped frequency distribution table or a grouped frequency distribution table would be more suitable. If there are large sets of different values, then it is best to...
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...