Human footprint variation while performing load bearing tasks

PloS One
Cara M Wall-SchefflerEmily Wagler

Abstract

Human footprint fossils have provided essential evidence about the evolution of human bipedalism as well as the social dynamics of the footprint makers, including estimates of speed, sex and group composition. Generally such estimates are made by comparing footprint evidence with modern controls; however, previous studies have not accounted for the variation in footprint dimensions coming from load bearing activities. It is likely that a portion of the hominins who created these fossil footprints were carrying a significant load, such as offspring or foraging loads, which caused variation in the footprint which could extend to variation in any estimations concerning the footprint's maker. To identify significant variation in footprints due to load-bearing tasks, we had participants (N = 30, 15 males and 15 females) walk at a series of speeds carrying a 20kg pack on their back, side and front. Paint was applied to the bare feet of each participant to create footprints that were compared in terms of foot length, foot width and foot area. Female foot length and width increased during multiple loaded conditions. An appreciation of footprint variability associated with carrying loads adds an additional layer to our understanding of ...Continue Reading

References

Feb 1, 1979·AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology·J E MarksJ H Ogura
Apr 1, 1992·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·H M McHenry
Jan 1, 1992·European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology·C Panter-Brick
Nov 1, 1991·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·C B RuffA Y Liu
Nov 1, 1990·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·M R FeldesmanJ K Lundy
Jan 1, 1987·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·T R Reynolds
Apr 1, 1987·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·T D White, G Suwa
Jan 1, 1985·European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology·G M Ghori, R G Luckwill
May 1, 1973·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·C O LovejoyA H Burstein
Mar 1, 1983·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·J T Stern, R L Susman
Jan 1, 1984·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·R L SusmanW L Jungers
Feb 1, 1980·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·J H Prost
Jun 1, 1982·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·J CharterisJ W Nottrodt
Jun 1, 1995·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·F E GrineO M Pearson
Feb 1, 1996·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·K Steudel
Feb 1, 1997·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·W R Leonard, M L Robertson
Sep 18, 1998·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·P A Kramer
Dec 5, 2000·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·C B Ruff
Mar 14, 2001·Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·A L McDonoughJ Ziai
Mar 15, 2001·Journal of Applied Physiology·S J WicklerK M Hall
Apr 3, 2001·Evolution and Human Behavior : Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society·K HawkesN G. Blurton Jones
Aug 31, 2002·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Leslie C Aiello, Cathy Key
Oct 31, 2002·Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement·D F HoytE A Cogger
Dec 18, 2002·Journal of Biomechanics·M LaFiandraJ P Obusek
Oct 1, 1963·Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association·H L OGG
Feb 18, 2004·Military Medicine·Joseph J KnapikEverett Harman
May 26, 2004·Applied Ergonomics·Daijiro AbeShigemitsu Niihata
Jun 17, 2004·Journal of Anatomy·W-J Wang, R H Crompton
Jul 28, 2004·The Anatomical Record. Part B, the New Anatomist·Virginia L Naples, Jon S Miller
Aug 4, 2004·Journal of Human Evolution·Karen L Steudel-Numbers, Michael J Tilkens
Oct 9, 2004·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Benjamin M Auerbach, Christopher B Ruff
Jan 15, 2005·European Journal of Applied Physiology·G J BastienN C Heglund
Mar 25, 2005·Annals of Human Biology·Daniel M T FesslerRoshni D Lal
Apr 9, 2005·European Journal of Applied Physiology·Hugh C PinningtonBrian Dawson
Jul 20, 2005·Journal of Human Evolution·Zeresenay AlemsegedRené Bobe
Aug 10, 2005·Ergonomics·Daniel H K ChowM S Wong
Sep 22, 2006·Nature·Zeresenay AlemsegedJonathan G Wynn
Mar 27, 2007·Child Development·Jessie S GarciaguirrePatrick E Shrout
Apr 13, 2007·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·C M Wall-SchefflerK L Steudel-Numbers

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 1, 2020·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Richa MukhraTanuj Kanchan
Mar 13, 2021·Scientific Reports·Eduardo MayoralRicardo Díaz-Delgado
May 17, 2021·Journal of Human Evolution·Christopher B RuffMichael Baksh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.