Humans differ from other animals in many ways: our
brains, minds, culture and all that they imply (e.g. language); our manual dexterity; and our throwing
abilities. Another discriminating trait: we
can run long distances faster than other animals. How much faster? Elite
runners can sustain 6.5 meters per second over long distances (e.g. two
kilometers). Average human runners pace between 3.2 and 4.2 meters per second. Horses
come in at 5.8 and dogs at 3.8. And
humans can sustain this advantage over long distances. Other animals soon tire, which implies that
we catch up with them (if we're chasing them for food). Humans may have used this technique of "persistence
hunting," essentially exhausting game, before we developed tools that
could be used against animals energized to defend themselves.
Our physiology, including muscle and leg structure, preponderance of slow-twitch muscle fiber, and superior perspiration system allows us to run long distances without overheating, even in warm weather. In fact, warm weather increases our advantage over other animals.
There are theories that humans might have scavenged by sighting circling vultures and running long distances, beating hyenas, and even using rocks as projectiles to drive away predators and/or other scavengers while the meat was collected.
Our physiology, including muscle and leg structure, preponderance of slow-twitch muscle fiber, and superior perspiration system allows us to run long distances without overheating, even in warm weather. In fact, warm weather increases our advantage over other animals.
There are theories that humans might have scavenged by sighting circling vultures and running long distances, beating hyenas, and even using rocks as projectiles to drive away predators and/or other scavengers while the meat was collected.
