The Evolution of Human Physical Activity - Running and the Brain

Human physical activities differ significantly from other species. How, when and why did these capabilities evolve? What adaptations underlie them? And how did the evolution of human physical activity affect other key human characteristics that have advanced our species? Daniel Lieberman explores how running evolved and David Raichlen explains the effects of physical activity on the brain. [7/2021] [Show ID: 37185]

00:00 - Start
01:38 - The Evolution of Walking and Running
31:30 - Evolutionary Links Between Physical Activity and the Brain

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[bfadigan]

Excellent use of public datasets for natural experiments on potential evolutionary levers. Not hard to fathom those who can gather a few more calories daily and who may be feeling more personable may have better reproductive success.

[williamalbritton]

I'm surprised Dr. Lieberman doesn't consider play behavior, which is ubiquitous among mammals, as a form of exercise.

[coffeetalk]

"Only humans exercise" I seem to recall that when I was a child my hamster loved to run on his wheel every night!

[alittleofeverything]

Dude can outrun horses. I'd listen to him.