J Hum Evol January 2009 PMID 18986682

The metabolic cost of walking in humans, chimpanzees, and early hominins.

Herman Pontzer, David A Raichlen, Michael D Sockol

Mentions

9
Peak: 6 in Sep 2022
across 2 sources since Aug 2022

Extended reach

38,396
potential audience

Total likes

177

Video views

17,979

Mentions per month

Aug 2022 – Jan 2023

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter6 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect strong agreement with the idea that energy efficiency was a major factor in the evolution of walking, with phrases like 'energy conservation' and references to studies explaining why humans started walking upright. The tone is informative and appreciative of the research, demonstrating genuine interest and moderate engagement in understanding human evolution.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most posts strongly agree with the idea that energy efficiency drove the evolution of walking, emphasizing energy conservation as a key reason for bipedalism.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity and engagement with the topic, highlighting the significance of energy conservation in human evolution.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some posts include commentary on the study's implications, reflecting a moderate level of analysis and discussion about walking energetics.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article influences thoughts on human evolution and energy efficiency, though they don't seem to provoke debates or policy implications.

Abstract in brief

  • The study compares walking energetics of humans and chimpanzees to develop a model that links anatomy and posture to walking cost, which is then used to estimate the energy expenditure of early hominins like Australopithecus afarensis.
  • The findings suggest that small changes in limb length, posture, and muscle mechanics could have made early bipedal walking less energy-consuming than quadrupedal climbing, implying early hominins evolved more efficient walking.
  • The results indicate that by the mid-Pliocene, early hominins had a walking cost similar to or lower than their apelike ancestors, supporting the idea that efficiency in bipedal locomotion was a key factor in human evolution.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Noelle Acheson
@NoelleInMadrid · X

So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to move is more energy efficient than using four – some studies say it uses 75% less energy. /2 https://t.co/7KwqqCCrJv

Sep 11, 2022 · 7 likes · 5 shares · 18,102 followers View post →
Golden Raffy
@GoldenRaffy · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 632 followers View post →
Cιɳҽɱαƚιƈ Bαɠʂ
@juhnud · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 537 followers View post →
ᴀᴍɪɢᴏꜱ ɯǝ⅁
@AmigosGem · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 398 followers View post →
S̲u̲z̲u̲e̲h̲d̲
@suzuehd · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 348 followers View post →
ᴋᴏᴍᴠᴇᴄ ᴍᴜʀɢᴜᴍᴏ
@komvec · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 340 followers View post →

All mentions

Cιɳҽɱαƚιƈ Bαɠʂ
@juhnud · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 537 followers View post →
Golden Raffy
@GoldenRaffy · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 632 followers View post →
S̲u̲z̲u̲e̲h̲d̲
@suzuehd · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 348 followers View post →
ᴀᴍɪɢᴏꜱ ɯǝ⅁
@AmigosGem · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 398 followers View post →
ᴋᴏᴍᴠᴇᴄ ᴍᴜʀɢᴜᴍᴏ
@komvec · X

RT @NoelleInMadrid: So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to…

Sep 12, 2022 · 5 shares · 340 followers View post →
Noelle Acheson
@NoelleInMadrid · X

So why did we start walking? It’s not to intimidate predators – it’s because of energy conservation. Using two limbs to move is more energy efficient than using four – some studies say it uses 75% less energy. /2 https://t.co/7KwqqCCrJv

Sep 11, 2022 · 7 likes · 5 shares · 18,102 followers View post →