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Human Physical Fitness and Activity pp 19–26Cite as

Phylogeny and Life History Patterns

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Anthropology ((HBBE))

Abstract

Phylogenic or comparative analysis allows us to examine how traits or behaviors evolved in humans and other animals, and to discover factors that lead to similarities and differences in traits and behaviors over evolutionary time. This chapter focuses on unique morphological, physiological, and metabolic adaptations that influence energy expenditure and physical activity in humans compared to other primates and mammals. Next, it examines the evolution of human life history patterns and how the human pattern compares to other primates and mammals. Finally, it compares physical activity patterns and energy expenditure in primates and humans. Throughout, the ways the unique aspects of human anatomy, energetics, and life history that are hypothesized to influence costs and benefits of physical activity, and developing and maintaining physical fitness and strength are highlighted. Humans have evolved in ways that favor sustained aerobic activity and require physical activity to build and maintain cardiovascular and muscular fitness and strength. In the absence of activity, however, human physiology appears to have evolved to favor decreases in muscle mass and increases in fat mass. These adaptations are thought to help compensate for the high energetic costs of large brains and to help care for multiple dependent offspring.

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  1. Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Ann E. Caldwell

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  1. Ann E. Caldwell
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Correspondence to Ann E. Caldwell .

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Caldwell, A.E. (2016). Phylogeny and Life History Patterns. In: Human Physical Fitness and Activity. SpringerBriefs in Anthropology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30409-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30409-0_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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