Models of Man’s Biosocial Adaptation in an Industrial Society

Models of Man’s Biosocial Adaptation in an Industrial Society

M.L. Butovskaya, E.V. Veselovskaya, and A.V. Prudnikova.

The morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptation of professional athletes can be viewed as a model, being close to the successful hunter’s adaptation in a foraging society. Physique, endocrine status, and personality traits were studied in athletes of various professional levels. A set of traits believed to be adaptive for this group is described. Athletes display masculine proportions of head and body, higher testosterone levels, early onset of sexual activity, extroversion, and thoroughness. These fi ndings are discussed from the standpoint of modern ethology and evolutionary anthropology.

Keywords: Adaptation, human evolution, masculinity, professional athletes, waist to hip ratio, digit ratio, testosterone,
aggressive behavior, dominance, risk taking, extroversion.