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Murray AA. Variability and the form-function framework in evolutionary biomechanics and human locomotion. EVOLUTIONARY HUMAN SCIENCES 2022; 4:e29. [PMID: 37588899 PMCID: PMC10426129 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2022.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The form-function conceptual framework, which assumes a strong relationship between the structure of a particular trait and its function, has been crucial for understanding morphological variation and locomotion among extant and fossil species across many disciplines. In biological anthropology, it is the lens through which many important questions and hypotheses have been tackled with respect to relationships between morphology and locomotor kinematics, energetics and performance. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that the morphologies of fossil hominins, apes and humans can confer considerable locomotor diversity and flexibility, and can do so with a range of kinematics depending on soft tissue plasticity and environmental and cultural factors. This complexity is not built into traditional biomechanical or mathematical models of relationships between structure and kinematics or energetics, limiting our interpretation of what bone structure is telling us about behaviour in the past. The nine papers presented in this Special Collection together address some of the challenges that variation in the relationship between form and function pose in evolutionary biomechanics, to better characterise the complexity linking structure and function and to provide tools through which we may begin to incorporate some of this complexity into our functional interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Murray
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Cornett Building Room B228, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, CanadaV8P 5C2
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2
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Kubicka AM, Myszka A. Are entheseal changes and cross-sectional properties associated with the shape of the upper limb? AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2020; 173:293-306. [PMID: 32643151 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Reconstruction of the activity of past human populations can be carried out using various skeletal markers; however, the relationship between these methods is not fully understood. Therefore, the main aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between entheseal changes, cross-sectional properties, and variability in the shape of the upper limb. MATERIALS AND METHODS The analyzed material consisted of CT images of 71 right scapulae, humeri, and ulnae belonging to the same individuals from a mediaeval population located in Poland. For each series of bones for the same individual, skeletal markers such as: cross-sectional properties, entheses and shape variation were assessed. Next, correlations between these three skeletal indicators were calculated. RESULTS In general, the models showed that only sex influences entheses. Multivariate regression revealed significant correlation only between ulnar auricular surface shape and two types of mean score for entheses. DISCUSSION The findings are inconsistent and stand in contradiction to other research; therefore, we suggest that an assessment of individual activity should be carried out, using as many post-cranial elements as possible and a variety of methods. This approach will ensure more accurate reconstruction of the activity levels and patterns of archeological groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Kubicka
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.,PaleoFED team, UMR 7194, CNRS, Département Homme et Environnement, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Musée de l'Homme, Paris, France
| | - Anna Myszka
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Niinimäki S, Narra N, Härkönen L, Abe S, Nikander R, Hyttinen J, Knüsel CJ, Sievänen H. Do bone geometric properties of the proximal femoral diaphysis reflect loading history, muscle properties, or body dimensions? Am J Hum Biol 2019; 31:e23246. [PMID: 31004392 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate activity-induced effects from bone geometric properties of the proximal femur in athletic vs nonathletic healthy females by statistically controlling for variation in body size, lower limb isometric, and dynamic muscle strength, and cross-sectional area of Musculus gluteus maximus. METHODS The material consists of hip and proximal thigh magnetic resonance images of Finnish female athletes (N = 91) engaged in either high jump, triple jump, soccer, squash, powerlifting, endurance running or swimming, and a group of physically active nonathletic women (N = 20). Cross-sectional bone geometric properties were calculated for the lesser trochanter, sub-trochanter, and mid-shaft of the femur regions. Bone geometric properties were analyzed using a general linear model that included body size, muscle size, and muscle strength as covariates. RESULTS Body size and isometric muscle strength were positively associated with bone geometric properties at all three cross-sectional levels of the femur, while muscle size was positively associated with bone properties only at the femur mid-shaft. When athletes were compared to nonathletic females, triple jump, soccer, and squash resulted in greater values in all studied cross-sections; high jump and endurance running resulted in greater values at the femoral mid-shaft cross-section; and swimming resulted in lower values at sub-trochanter and femur mid-shaft cross-sections. CONCLUSIONS Activity effects from ground impact loading were associated with higher bone geometric values, especially at the femur mid-shaft, but also at lesser and sub-trochanter cross-sections. Bone geometric properties along the femur can be used to assess the mechanical stimuli experienced, where ground impact loading seems to be more important than muscle loading.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathaniel Narra
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Härkönen
- Aquatic population dynamics Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Oulu, Finland
| | - Shinya Abe
- Laboratory of Civil Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Riku Nikander
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.,GeroCenter Foundation for Aging Research and Development, Jyväskylä, Finland.,Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jari Hyttinen
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Christopher J Knüsel
- De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel: Culture, Environnement, et Anthropologie (PACEA), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Harri Sievänen
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland
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Pomeroy E, Macintosh A, Wells JC, Cole TJ, Stock JT. Relationship between body mass, lean mass, fat mass, and limb bone cross-sectional geometry: Implications for estimating body mass and physique from the skeleton. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 166:56-69. [PMID: 29344931 PMCID: PMC6178563 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Estimating body mass from skeletal dimensions is widely practiced, but methods for estimating its components (lean and fat mass) are poorly developed. The ability to estimate these characteristics would offer new insights into the evolution of body composition and its variation relative to past and present health. This study investigates the potential of long bone cross-sectional properties as predictors of body, lean, and fat mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS Humerus, femur and tibia midshaft cross-sectional properties were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography in sample of young adult women (n = 105) characterized by a range of activity levels. Body composition was estimated from bioimpedance analysis. RESULTS Lean mass correlated most strongly with both upper and lower limb bone properties (r values up to 0.74), while fat mass showed weak correlations (r ≤ 0.29). Estimation equations generated from tibial midshaft properties indicated that lean mass could be estimated relatively reliably, with some improvement using logged data and including bone length in the models (minimum standard error of estimate = 8.9%). Body mass prediction was less reliable and fat mass only poorly predicted (standard errors of estimate ≥11.9% and >33%, respectively). DISCUSSION Lean mass can be predicted more reliably than body mass from limb bone cross-sectional properties. The results highlight the potential for studying evolutionary trends in lean mass from skeletal remains, and have implications for understanding the relationship between bone morphology and body mass or composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pomeroy
- School of Natural Sciences and PsychologyLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool, L3 3AFUnited Kingdom
| | - Alison Macintosh
- ADaPt Project, PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and AnthropologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridge, CB2 3QGUnited Kingdom
| | - Jonathan C.K. Wells
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondon, WC1N 1EHUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim J. Cole
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondon, WC1N 1EHUnited Kingdom
| | - Jay T. Stock
- ADaPt Project, PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and AnthropologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridge, CB2 3QGUnited Kingdom
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntario, N6A 3K7Canada
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Niinimäki S, Narra N, Härkönen L, Abe S, Nikander R, Hyttinen J, Knüsel C, Sievänen H. The relationship between loading history and proximal femoral diaphysis cross-sectional geometry. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 29. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sirpa Niinimäki
- Archaeology; P.O. Box 1000, University of Oulu; Oulu 90014 Finland
| | - Nathaniel Narra
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering; BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology; Tampere Finland
| | - Laura Härkönen
- Department of Ecology; P.O. Box 3000, University of Oulu; Oulu 90014 Finland
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences; P.O. 111, University of Eastern Finland; Joensuu 80101 Finland
| | - Shinya Abe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Systems; P.O. Box 589, Tampere University of Technology; Tampere 33101 Finland
| | - Riku Nikander
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences; P.O. Box 35, (L328); 40014 University of Jyväskylä Finland
- GeroCenter Foundation for Aging Research and Development; Rautpohjankatu 8 Jyväskylä 40700 Finland
- Unit of Research & Education, Central Hospital of Central Finland; Keskussairaalantie 19 Jyväskylä 40620 Finland
| | - Jari Hyttinen
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering; BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology; Tampere Finland
| | - Christopher Knüsel
- UMR5199, De la Prehistoire a l?Actuel: Culture, Environnement, et Anthropologie (PACEA); Bâtiment B8, Allée Géoffroy Saint Hilaire, CS 50023 Pessac Cedex 33615 France
| | - Harri Sievänen
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research; P.O. Box 30, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1 Tampere 33501 Finland
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Niinimäki S, Härkönen L, Nikander R, Abe S, Knüsel C, Sievänen H. The cross-sectional area of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to habitual exercise loading: Implications for activity-related and evolutionary studies. HOMO-JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE HUMAN BIOLOGY 2015; 67:125-37. [PMID: 26384568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchb.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been considered an indication of its function in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabilities. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to sports while controlling for variation in muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximus muscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magnetic resonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N=91), and physically active controls (N=20). Dynamic muscle force was measured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extension force as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: high impact (triple-jumpers and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer and squash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) loadings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitude loading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls, requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid directional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body size and greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. An increase in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but the strength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, gluteal adaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movements required in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as maintenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides a platform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These movements have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, including hunting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirpa Niinimäki
- Department of Archaeology, University of Oulu, PO Box 1000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; Department of Ecology, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
| | - Laura Härkönen
- Department of Ecology, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Riku Nikander
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, PO BOX 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; GeroCenter Foundation for Aging Research and Development, Rautpohjankatu 8, 40700 Jyväskylä, Finland; Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Keskussairaalantie 19, 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Shinya Abe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Systems, Tampere University of Technology, PO Box 589, 33101 Tampere, Finland
| | - Christopher Knüsel
- De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel-Culture, Environnement, et Anthropologie (PACEA), UMR5199 PACEA, Bâtiment B8, Allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex 33615, France
| | - Harri Sievänen
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1, PO Box 30, 33501 Tampere, Finland
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Macintosh AA, Pinhasi R, Stock JT. Divergence in male and female manipulative behaviors with the intensification of metallurgy in Central Europe. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112116. [PMID: 25389972 PMCID: PMC4229139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Humeral morphology has been shown to reflect, in part, habitual manipulative behaviors in humans. Among Central European agricultural populations, long-term social change, increasing task specialization, and technological innovation all had the potential to impact patterns of habitual activity and upper limb asymmetry. However, systematic temporal change in the skeletal morphology of agricultural populations in this region has not been well-characterized. This study investigates diachronic patterns in humeral biomechanical properties and lengths among 174 adult Central European agriculturalists through the first ∼ 5400 years of farming in the region. Greater asymmetry in biomechanical properties was expected to accompany the introduction of metallurgy, particularly in males, while upper limb loading patterns were expected to be more similar between the Bronze and Iron Ages. Results revealed a divergence in the lateralization of upper limb biomechanical properties by sex between the Early/Middle Neolithic and Early/Middle Bronze Age. Neolithic females had significantly more variable properties than males in both humeri, while Bronze Age female properties became homogeneous and very symmetrical relative to the right-biased lateralization of contemporaneous males. The Bronze Age to Iron Age transition was associated with morphological change among females, with a significant increase in right-biased asymmetry and a concomitant reduction in sexual dimorphism. Relative to biomechanical properties, humeral length variation and asymmetry were low though some significant sexual dimorphism and temporal change was found. It was among females that the lateralization of humeral biomechanical properties, and variation within them, changed most profoundly through time. This suggests that the introduction of the ard and plow, metallurgical innovation, task specialization, and socioeconomic change through ∼ 5400 years of agriculture impacted upper limb loading in Central European women to a greater extent than men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Macintosh
- PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Ron Pinhasi
- Earth Institute and School of Archaeology, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jay T. Stock
- PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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