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Locomotion, thermoregulation and growth factors in lower limb proportions in human evolution
Čerevková, Simona ; Sládek, Vladimír (advisor) ; Hora, Martin (referee)
The aim of this thesis was to introduce the influence of locomotion, climate, environment and growth factors on lower limb proportions in the context of human evolution. In this work, we examine the manner of locomotion in relation to morphology and lower limb proportions in early hominins (Orrorin, Ardipithecus), australopithecines and the Plio-Pleistocene representatives of the genus Homo. Furthermore, we mention findings about the energetic costs of bipedal locomotion of the Neanderthals and anatomically modern human. An influence of climate and environment on crural index values of past and present human populations was observed. We also show an impact of growth factors on human body parameters using examples related to secular trend, the effect of craniocaudal gradient and subsistence strategy. The thesis was enhanced with a practical part focussed on intersexual variability of the most distal part of lower limb skeleton. The results showed that there was not a significant difference in relative metatarsal lengths between men and women. Key words: locomotion, thermoregulation, climate, lower limb proportions, hominins, Neanderthals, anatomically modern human
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