Manual Loading Distribution During Carrying Behaviors: Implications for the Evolution of the Hominin Hand.

ABSTRACT: The human hand is unparalleled amongst primates in its ability to manipulate objects forcefully and dexterously. Previous research has predominantly sought to explain the evolution of these capabilities through an adaptive relationship between more modern human-like anatomical features in the upper limb and increased stone tool production and use proficiency. To date, however, we know little about the influence that other manipulatively demanding behaviors may have had upon the evolution of the human hand. The present study addresses one aspect of this deficiency by examining the recruitment of the distal phalanges during a range of manual transportation (i.e., carrying) events related to hominin behavioral repertoires during the Plio-Pleistocene. Specifically, forces on the volar pad of e

SUBMITTER: Key AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5047513 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature