Fun fact! There’s a theory that the reason humans can’t run faster than ~25 mph is because at that speed the injuries from an impact become much more life threatening. So everyone who was capable of running that fast would generally die by running into something or tripping
Neat theory, but I dont think I buy in. When we have tools and packs to keep us safe from predators, and any old human can run down a gazelle by just jogging after them for an hour til they collapse from heat exhaustion, where is the evolutionary pressure to be a super-sprinter?
Predators were a much bigger threat than you realize. Us being the dominant species has more to do with us being in groups. All out would take is one hunting trip gone wrong and your sprinting for your life.
Fun fact! There’s a theory that the reason humans can’t run faster than ~25 mph is because at that speed the injuries from an impact become much more life threatening. So everyone who was capable of running that fast would generally die by running into something or tripping
Neat theory, but I dont think I buy in. When we have tools and packs to keep us safe from predators, and any old human can run down a gazelle by just jogging after them for an hour til they collapse from heat exhaustion, where is the evolutionary pressure to be a super-sprinter?
Predators.
Predators were a much bigger threat than you realize. Us being the dominant species has more to do with us being in groups. All out would take is one hunting trip gone wrong and your sprinting for your life.