Elastic Energy Storage in the Shoulder and the Evolution...

Roach, Neil, Venkadesan Madhusdhan, Michael Rainbow, and Daniel Lieberman. Elastic energy storage in the shoulder and the evolution of high-speed throwing in Homo. Nature. 498.June 27 (2013): 483-487. Print. Neil Roach, Madhusudhan Venkadesan, and Michael Rainbow and Daniel E. Lieberman wrote the article, Elastic Energy Storage in the Shoulder and the Evolution of High-speed Throwing in Homo. The researchers said that the first humans had to be able to throw weapons in order to capture animals for food, and protect the dead animal from enemies. This skill was important for survival. In later times when there were weapons such as the bow and arrow, the importance of throwing was lessened. Although Darwin is credited with realizing this special ability that developed in humans we don’t know when or how it evolved. What is known is that humans are able to throw at high speeds while chimpanzees do not have the same capability (Roach et al 483). The authors conducted this study to see how and when this ability in humans evolved by studying the mechanics used in throwing. They compared the mechanics of throwing of humans to that of chimpanzees. The authors said that previous studies found that the internal rotator muscles are responsible fort the power of the human throw. The investigators hypothesize that the elastic energy storage is the important source for this power. They also stated that other features of the human shoulder are important in storing this energy and