No part of human skeletal anatomy is more central to our understanding of human bipedal locomotion-and it’s distinction from ape patterns of locomotion-than the pelvis. On this week’s episode I talk with Dr. Anna Warrener (CU-Denver), who has done amazing research on the pelvis.
Our conversation talks extensively about her research looking at the long-held belief that the female pelvis, because of evolutionary constraints of childbirth, is less-efficient at locomotion than the male pelvis. Turns out what we thought we knew is most likely wrong, with some potentially big implications for how we understand a few major evolutionary transitions in the past. Also how we might think about sex differences in running today…
If you want to go more in depth, check out this paper from Dr. Warrener and her colleauges in PLOS:One on the topic:
The pelvis is a complicated anatomical structure, involving the integration of multiple bones during the course of development. Here is a bit of a reference to help:
Human pelvis (source:Wikipedia commons): 1 – sacrum, 2 – Ilium, 3 – Ischium, 4 – Pubis, 5 – Pubic symphysis, 6 – Acetabulum, 7 – Obturator foramen
Just a reminder, I am producing this podcast in support of the Boston Museum of Science and their traveling education programs. These programs reach more than 100,000 learners each year by visiting schools and community events, and providing high quality and engaging science education. By supporting my run, you will be helping to support science enrichment for communities all across New England. And I will be forever grateful!
