Radiolab Man Against Horse
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Jul 7, 2023 
Heather Radke, a reporter and author of 'Butts', teams up with Matt Kielty, Radiolab producer, to dive deep into the fascinating world of the human posterior. They discuss its cultural history and evolutionary significance, revealing how our butts have played a role in what makes us human. The conversation takes a thrilling turn as they explore the 'Man Against Horse' race, showcasing an incredible personal story and the enduring competition between humans and horses in the rocky Arizona desert.
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The Nuchal Ligament: A Clue to Human Evolution
- The nuchal ligament, present in running mammals, stabilizes the head.
- Humans, unlike non-running apes, possess this ligament, suggesting running's role in our evolution.
Homo Erectus: The Running Human
- Homo erectus, an early human ancestor, shows evidence of a nuchal ligament and other adaptations for running, like shorter toes and arched feet.
- These adaptations emerged around 2 million years ago, coinciding with significant brain size increase.
The Gluteus Maximus: The Running Muscle
- The gluteus maximus, crucial for running, prevents the trunk from pitching forward and decelerates the leg.
- It is significantly more active during running than walking, highlighting its specialized function.
