Is that really a limiting factor for animals not upright? They have to stop going because their intestines slam into other vital organs, and they need a break, lest they get damaged?
Comment on All downhill from there
khannie@lemmy.world 3 weeks agoThe other advantage we have while running is that we’re not constantly slamming our intestines into our other vital organs and lungs because we’re upright.
Humans can out-distance a horse. A fucking HORSE. Incredible animal the oul’ human.
IncogCyberspaceUser@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
exasperation@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
One big advantage is that we can run while breathing out of sync with our steps. Four legged running pretty much requires each inhale and exhale to sync with the compression and expansion of the torso with each stride. Humans, on the other hand, can run full speed while taking multiple steps per breath, depending on terrain and fatigue, which gives more options for pacing.
DragonSidedD@monero.town 3 weeks ago
Interesting, that dynamic is in line with the ‘radiator’ theory of human brain evolution.
From a more recent article:
the shift to an aerobic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle in early Homo, including long-distance running, exerted selection pressures that favored both increased endurance and enhanced brain growth
khannie@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I saw it in a documentary but it was a good while ago so to be honest I can’t remember what the exact mechanism was or if it was just a contributing factor over longer distances. I just remember storing it away as little nugget that made sense when presented.
It’s very late here and now you have me curious so I’ll probably have a dig around in the morning.
FelixCress@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Speak for yourself, I cannot out distance a hamster lately.
khannie@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Oh I am most definitely not speaking for myself. Neigh. Not one bit.
I think that’s mostly down to our comparatively sedentary lifestyle though. Skinny AF, fit because I’ve had to run down a horse once a week and mid-20’s me could hopefully out-distance a horse. A small cow anyway.
ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Are you a horse?
khannie@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Neigh.