The Role of Anatomical Adaptations in Human Bipedalism

Abstract

Background: The human bipedalism is a special type of walking and is characterized by drastic alterations to the organism’s architecture. Understanding these modifications from the vertebral column and pelvis to the lower limbs enable the paleoanthropologists to have a view on how early hominines evolved to anthropology and how the change was required for anthropology to happen and the changes that affected this on human beings. Objectives: This study seeks to look at the main morphological characteristics that are attributed to bipedalism with a view to explaining the changes in the skeletal system that has enabled human beings to stand and walk upright. Study design: A Cross-sectional-study Place and duration of Study. Watim Medical & Dental College, Rawat from July, 2020 to December, 2020. Methods: One hundred patients’ MRI and X-ray of the skeletal systems of structures involved in bipedalism such as the pelvis, spine, and lower limbs alignment were also examined. Concerning the age, the study revealed that, the mean age of the participant was 40 years with the standard deviation of 8. 5 years. The difference in the anatomical variables of interest was tested with the use of paired t-tests. The significance level of 0 has been selected for the study. 05 was applied where the ‘p’ value of each test was below 0. 05. Results: The following postural changes were evidenced beyond doubt, which were as follows: the change in the shape of the pelvis Going hand in hand with the process of bipedalism and the alterations of the The Role of Anatomical Adaptations in Human Bipedalism Vol 29 No.1 (2022):JPTCP(485-494) Page | 486 curvature of spine The alterations of the femur that are really crucial for bipedalism. The mean pelvic tilt angle was assessed to be 35 degrees SD = 5. 2, t = 5. 714, p < 0. 01 and most participants exhibited pelvic tilt angles requiring mandating between 30 and 40 degrees. The lumbar lordosis angle was found to be at 45 (SD=4. 8, p< 0. 01) degree; ninety percent of the participants were observed to have having their lumbar lordosis angle fall within the range of 40-50 degree. From these findings it can therefore be concluded that these anatomical features are relevant in balance and energy economy when walking. Conclusion: The study also goes with the hypothesis which depicted that some features of human skeleton such as pelvic tilt and the curvature of the lumbar spine are naturally integrated with bipedalism. They assist in maintaining the body’s balance, reduces stress of the body and enables movements within the surface. Further related studies may extend from the present one to identify variations in regard to the aforementioned concept of adaptation concerning the population.