3+4+Supplementum/2012 - Společnost pro pojivové tkáně

opment, more favourable body composition
(reduced fatness), higher HDL serum
level, trend for better results of modified
step test, better body posture, and others.
Results confirm the necessity to prevent
negative development of physical fitness
along with overweight and obesity by an
adequate physical activity regime – as most
physiological factor – starting at early age.
aBSTRakT
HuMan BiPedal lOCOMOTiOn.
iS iT COMPaTiBle wiTH THe
THeORY Of THe SuRViVal Of
THe fiTTeST
Zemkova Daniela, Hudakova O, Marik Ivo
Dept. of Paediatrics; University Hospital Motol;
Charles University
Ambulant Centre for defects of Locomotor
apparatus, Prague, Czech Republic
Orthopaedic surgeons all over the world
care for many patients with prolapse of vertebral
discs, spondyloarthrosis, spondylolisthesis,
osteoporotic compressive vertebral
fractures, scoliosis, coxarthrosis, etc. every
day. All these medical problems are consequences
of human bipedal locomotion
and longevity. The aim of this contribution
is to acquaint the orthopaedic surgeons,
specialists in biomechanics with some new
findings concerning beginning of human
bipedal locomotion. Forty years ago it was
supposed that the human line separated
from apes 14 millions years ago. Molecular
genetics has brought dramatically different
view of human evolution. The split between
chimpanzee and man occurred 5–7 million
years ago. Undisputable evidence of bipedal
locomotion comes from the period about
356 14 th Prague-Sydney-Lublin
3.5 million years ago (Australopithecus afarensis
“Lucy” from Hadar, footprints from
Laetoli). Some new findings were discovered
during last decade. The dating of
some excavations is similar to the time
of supposed separation between man and
chimpanzee: Sahelanthropus tchadensis
6–7 million years ago (M. Brunet et al.),
Orrorin tugenensis 6 million years ago (M.
Pickford, B.Senut). All discoverers are convinced
about their bipedal locomotion. We
need more findings to confirm this opinion.
It seems that ancestors of humans
and apes climbing up the trees used more
often erect posture and bipedal locomotion
on the ground than it was thought previously.
Bipedal locomotion may have been
an adaptation to living in mixed woodland
and grassland environment. Early hominins
were bipedal but they might still have been
efficient tree climbers (Ardipithecus ramidus).
Over many generations, early hominid
legs became longer and much stronger than
their arms. Undesirable consequences of
bipedal locomotion which are familiar to
physicians are documented in archeological
findings. Nevertheless, they occur mostly
in postreproductive age and do not affect
the reproductive success of our ancestors.
References
1. Tobias P.V. The evolution of man´s upright
posture. En essay in orthopaedic anthropology.
Locomotor System, 10, 2003, No. 1-2, p. 7–28.
2. Tobias P. V. The upright head in hominid
evolution. Some new thoughts in orthopaedic
anthropology. Locomotor System, 10, 2003, No.
3-4, p. 129–148.