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Factors influencing the success of endurance hunting
Červenková, Lucie ; Struška, Michal (advisor) ; Oplt, Pavla Alexia (referee)
The persistence hunting involves the long-term pursuit of prey in typically hot and arid environments until the animal becomes exhausted and is overtaken. This hunting method played a significant role in the evolution of the genus of Homo and led to many adaptations for endurance movement, namely running. This work explores the adaptations necessary for utilizing this type of hunting as a subsistence strategy. It first focuses on thermoregulatory adaptations that occurred in the evolution of hominins and how they may be applied in hunting strategy. It further addresses adaptations associated with oxygen transport, for which information from modern endurance athletes has been primarily utilized. The aim is to determine which morphological and physiological factors play the most important role in success, and then to describe the influence of genetics and training on endurance. Lastly, the work focuses on the topic of female hunters and the likelihood of their participation in persistence hunting. It also investigates significant adaptations in women that could have provided an advantage for this type of hunting. Key words: persistence hunting, evolution, H. erectus, thermoregulatory adaptations, sweating, VO2max, woman the hunter
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Effect of cold on humans from the perspective of physiology and ecology
Chvojková, Anna ; Hora, Martin (advisor) ; Oplt, Pavla Alexia (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with the issue of cold and its effect on humans. The aim of the thesis is to compare how much different factors such as body proportions, amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT), age or sex influence the physiological response to cold. According to the available literature, the physiological response to cold is mainly dependent on body proportions and the amount of BAT, while factors such as age and sex are not as significantly reflected in the response. The second aim is to inspect whether ecogeographic rules also apply to human populations with a special focus on one Arctic population - the European Sami. Sami have, as predicted by ecogeographic rules, a broad trunk and short limbs, which limits heat loss. The last goal of the thesis is to clarify the possible use of cold exposure in healthcare and sports physiotherapy. Cold therapy could help with the treatment of inflammatory diseases, obesity, depression, or muscle recovery. However, further application of cold therapy in medical practice requires a thorough study of the mechanisms by which cold affects specific diseases and the definition of optimal conditions under which cold therapy is effective.
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