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News Release 13-116

What Is the Fastest Articulated Motion a Human Can Execute?

Nature article this week discusses the mechanics and evolution of human throwing

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ancestor human bones on display

Dr. Roach's study is the first to link human throwing ability and the evolution of our ancestors through hunting.

Credit: George Washington University


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NSF-funded research discovered that humans are able to throw projectiles at incredible speeds by storing and releasing energy in the tendons and ligaments crossing the shoulder.

Credit: George Washington University

 

A raw video package, including sound bites from researcher, Dr. Neil Roach, and 3-D skeletal reenactments of researchers' throwing data.

Credit: George Washington University