Man vs beast: Who is more efficient?

Question 1

crouched

Answer 1

bent at the knees, closer to the ground and leaning forward slightly.

Humans are apes and evolved from the same origin as gorillas and chimpanzees. One big difference however is that humans walk upright on straight legs, whereas most animals are crouched – bent over at the knee and leaning forwards to the ground. This crouched posture is not an efficient way to move.

Question 2

dogleg

Answer 2

having a bent shape, like a dog’s leg; a sharp bend in a road or path.

Other animals, like dogs, have flat backs and move on four bent legs called doglegs – something bent in the shape of a dog’s leg. The word dogleg can also mean a sharp bend in a road or path.
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Question 3

drops off

Answer 3

decreases in amount or quality.

Efficient running depends on having flexible muscles and tendons, and this flexibility drops off, or decreases, as we get older. This means that, in terms of running, the body has an optimal age – the best age, or the age at which you are most likely to succeed.

Question 4

optimal age

Answer 4

best age; age at which you are most likely to succeed in an activity.

Efficient running depends on having flexible muscles and tendons, and this flexibility drops off, or decreases, as we get older. This means that, in terms of running, the body has an optimal age – the best age, or the age at which you are most likely to succeed.

Question 5

muscle mass

Answer 5

the amount of muscle in your body, as opposed to fat or bone.

Body composition also plays a part. Efficient runners need high muscle mass - the amount of muscle in your body, as opposed to fat or bone. So, training, age, muscle mass and genetics and are all factors which, when they come together, produce a sweet spot.

Question 6

sweet spot

Answer 6

best possible combination of factors or circumstances.

Body composition also plays a part. Efficient runners need high muscle mass - the amount of muscle in your body, as opposed to fat or bone. So, training, age, muscle mass and genetics and are all factors which, when they come together, produce a sweet spot – the best possible combination of factors and circumstances.