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Updated: May 8, 2026
11:15
Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Do olympic athletes train as in the Paleolithic era?
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|August 21, 2013
Summary
Modern athletes may perform better with training and nutrition mirroring ancestral human activity patterns. This ancestral model emphasizes prolonged aerobic exercise with bursts of high-intensity activity, potentially with lower carbohydrate availability.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Sports science
- Human physiology
Background:
- Athletes train rigorously for peak performance, supported by coaches and scientists.
- Human physiology is shaped by evolutionary history, influencing training adaptations.
Observation:
- Modern lifestyles and training differ significantly from ancestral human activity patterns.
- Genetic adaptations occur slowly, while lifestyle changes rapidly.
Findings:
- Training adaptations may be enhanced when stimuli resemble ancestral activity patterns.
- An ancestral pattern includes prolonged aerobic activity, interspersed high-intensity bursts, and occasional low carbohydrate availability.
- Strength and power activities were typically performed after aerobic exercise in ancestral models.
Implications:
- Modern athletes might benefit from training and nutritional strategies aligned with ancestral human physiology.
- Further research is needed to assess genetic responses and performance outcomes across various sports.
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