另外，人类的跑步步法也使我们格外适合长跑。人类跑步的步态有两步——腾空：双脚均离地；站立：至少一只脚着地。

While in the air, gravity pulls us down, which generates a lot of kinetic energy. However, the second we hit the ground, we instantly decelerate, losing that kinetic energy in the process.

腾空时，重力会把我们往下拉，这个过程产生了大量动能。不过，着地时会立刻减速，失去这种动能。

Here's where our special adaptations come in. The tendons and muscles in our legs are very springy. They act like a pogo stick, converting kinetic energy from the aerial phase into elastic potential energy, which we can use later.

而人类独特的适应性就体现在这里。我们的大腿肌腱和肌肉极具弹力，它们可以像弹跳器一样将动能转化为弹性势能，以供之后利用。

In fact, our IT band can store 15-20 times more elastic energy than a chimpanzee's similar body part, the fascia lata. When it comes time to step off, those springy tendons can turn 50% of that elastic pogo-stick energy back into kinetic, making it easier to propel forward. Without that extra energy, we'd have to exert that much more effort just to take a step.

事实上，人类的髂胫束（包绕大腿的深筋膜）能够储存的弹性势能是黑猩猩的相似部位阔筋膜的15-20倍。当我们迈步时，富有弹性的筋腱可以将50%的弹性势能转化为动能，使我们更容易前进。如果没有这种额外能量，那么我们需要付出更多努力，才能够前进一步。

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