Why Humans are Better Grapplers than Runners.
“I swear it upon Zeus, the outstanding runner cannot be the equal of the average wrestler.”
This is a quote that is commonly ascribed to Socrates, who lived more than 2,500 years ago.
Modern scientific research appears to offer support to this claim. The proof? It is in the design of our foot.
Modern science backs up Socrates. Humans, apes and bears are among the few mammals that step first on the heel when walking, and then roll onto the ball of the foot and toes. A University of Utah study shows why.
Walking heel to toe provides us with a larger foot surface – which increases our leverage and allows kinetic and potential energy to be converted more efficiently. This may compromise our running efficiency, but it improves our ability to defend ourselves against aggressors within our own species.
“Our heel touches the ground at the start of each step. In most mammals, the heel remains elevated during walking and running,” says biology Professor David Carrier, senior author of the recent study that was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
Why do the vast majority of mammals walk on their toes? Think of gazelles, deer, horses, dogs and cats. “They are adapted for running,” Carrier says. “They’ve compromised their economy of walking for the economy of running.”
Most elite human runners also strike first on the balls of their feet. Even so, “We are not efficient runners,” says Carrier. “In fact, we consume more energy to run than the typical mammal our size.”
So why have humans, great apes and bears adapted a pattern of walking that differs from that of most other mammals? It has to do with more than walking efficiency. All three are relatively aggressive and have to ward off attacks from members of their own species.
“Plantigrade feet, in which the heel makes contact with the ground, allow large torques to be applied to the ground,” explained David Carrier. “Animals with this foot posture are able to apply larger forces to opponents during fighting that involves wrestling and possibly also larger forces during striking with the forelimbs.”
A heel-first foot posture “may be advantageous during fighting by increasing stability and applying more torque to the ground to twist, push and shove. And it increases agility in rapid turning maneuvers during aggressive encounters.”
Are We Born to Grapple or Run?
Although we are clearly designed to do both – humans are extraordinary long distance runners – it appears that from an evolutionary perspective, grappling was an even more fundamental skill than running. Is grappling actually more integral to human nature than running?
The ability to defend one’s self and our offspring, the ability to work with our hands and manipulate our environment, an increased problem solving ability – these are some of the traits that have taken precedence over our ability to run from predators or chase prey.
Conclusion.
The history of grappling can be traced back to prehistoric times. Most people undervalue its importance, but grappling has been an essential component to the human experience, and part of our genetic imprint. Evidence of this is abundant – 5,000 year old tomb paintings of Beni Hasan in Egypt show many scenes of standing and ground grappling. Wrestling was the foremost Olympic sport in Ancient Greece. The oldest martial arts in the world were grappling based. Ancient civilizations such as Africa, China, India, Iran and Greece all had strong wrestling traditions. Even the structure of our body reflects the strong connection we have to grappling.
What do you think? Have we underestimated the role grappling-based activities like Jiu Jitsu have played in our evolutionary development? Does the ability to grapple promote other qualities and attributes that have been advantageous to our survival? Although clearly we can do both, are we designed more as grapplers than as efficient runners?
Hmmm… I’m not convinced. Running seems much more natural than grappling. Every human can naturally run but no human (or very very few) can naturally grapple. A person that has never taken a lesson in running can run much better than a person that has never taken a grappling lesson can grapple. As an experienced grappler, when I grapple new students they are like children – to put it bluntly and honestly. I have tapped fully grown men with both my hands in my belt. It just doesn’t seem natural or inherent at all. Also, how does your thesis account for persistence hunting? Humans are poor sprinters, but really great at long distance.
WE are told that running is more “natural” than grappling, but is it really true? Young children have exceptionally strong core and grip strength, and have natural grappling skill – this can be seen before they can even walk, much less run. Some old ladies can mount formidable defense against purse snatchers long after they have lost the ability to run. as you mention, with training, the great majority of adults can reach a high degree of grappling proficiency – which is not true of running – doesn’t this also prove that grappling is “natural” for us? Persistence running is an important skill, but from an evolutionary perspective the skills associated with grappling are even more important.
Though grappling can be traced back thousands of years, running can be traced back millions of years. we are less efficient at running than other mammals because other mammals rely so heavily on their ability to run. What other mammals that are about our size can we out grapple? the question of our ability to grapple vs. our ability to run is ultimately a false choice as neither is our evolutionary strength against other species as a whole. It is our ability to do both and more that sets us apart from other animals. Adaptability is our greatest evolutionary skill. It’s like the argument over humans being omnivores versus carnivores or herbivores. We are not great at digesting vegetables or meats but we do either and both moderately well. Interesting read though………
How do we know that running can be traced back millions of years and grappling only thousands? We do know that apes are better grapplers than runners, and many believe that we evolved from them – which could mean that we also have been grappling since the beginning. ALthough we may not be able to outgrapple bears and apes – grappling was an evolutionarily important skill due to the aggressive nature of fellow humans. ultimately i agree with you – it is our ability to do both and our adaptability that is remarkable.
Very interesting concept here. Never thought of it that way. Shared on my Facebook timeline to see if I can get a conversation started.
Interesting, never thought about the born-to-grapple angle before. Makes sense, although i think I would agree with the statement that we’re born to do both.
The running argument is compelling from a physiological standpoint: the construction of our lower limbs and our ability to sweat (thereby not overheating or dehydrating as fast as other mammals) makes us pretty competitive over the long haul versus other competitors.
I think the defining human characteristic is conscious thought made possible through our developed frontal lobe. After that, I think its more of a case of jack or all trades, masters of none. We may not be the best runners or grapplers, but we do so well enough. The average of our skills put us close to the top of the list, compared to other animals, in terms of all-around physical ability.
Interesting. I would argue that we were made to do both as well. As a father of 3 I have clearly watched my sons grapple with one another before they could run. It’s part of genetic code. Not just primates either, all mammals grapple,it’s very easy to watch cubs learn and play via grappling. You can take the kid out of grappling but you can’t take the grappling out of the kid.