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To: SoDak
I've always wondered, and perhaps someone can tell me, why is it that chimps are so much stronger than us?

I've heard that part of it is not muscle mass or tone, but points of attachment -- leverage. As I understand it, chimp muscles are attached further up from the joints -- which gives the muscles better leverage. This trades strength for speed of movement. You can outjab a chimp, but once he gets hold of you, he'll tear your head off. Also, as pointed out by another poster, they're disproportionately large above the waist in comparison to humans. A chimp's forearms are huge.

17 posted on 04/20/2005 6:55:54 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Pearls Before Swine

That's what I was thinking I'd heard too, that there were points of physics involved, in addition to connective tissue and such. I wonder what competitive advantage came from us becoming weaker. Perhaps the fine movements of the hands meant a need for sacrificing strength. Who knows.


19 posted on 04/20/2005 8:01:48 PM PDT by SoDak (hoist that rag!)
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