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>I've been wondering about the kinds of exercises that would approximate
>the activities of paleolithic women. Can I presume that  they were
>primarily gatherers, water and child carriers, preparers of skins
>etc?  Did they join in the hunt as some present-day women in hunter
>gatherer societies do? Is there any way of knowing?


Hi Persephone,  welcome to the list.  From my reading (and I'm no expert),
that would seem to be a fairly safe presumption.  As you say, some women in
h/g societies that survived into modern time did/do join the hunt.  It
seems to the general case, however, that hunting was largely performed by
males, and gathering by females.  I think the only real evidence of this is
studies of extant h/g's, and injury patterns in bones.


>I'd be grateful for any links to sites, or book recommendations that cover
>this topic. Also, I'd like any suggestions for exercise activities
>suitable for women (nothing wimpish or girly please, I abhor Lycra <g>.)
>My goals are flexibility and strength. I'd like to achieve this as simply
>as possible, using minimum gym equipment and maximum work outside.

I'd highly recommend 'Play as If Your Life Depends on It' by Frank
Forencich, for anyone interested in a look at fitness from an evolutionary
perspective.  Website at http://www.goanimal.com/


>I'd also like to ask advice about a recent problem. After years of
>trouble-free cycling I suddenly suffered from lower back pain, dull pains
>over the fronts of my thighs, and upper knee pains. My doc and physio said
>that I had over-developed my quads. Is the answer simply to pay more
>attention to my hamstrings? I'm a real neophyte as far as muscles are
>concerned, but I learn quickly. Can anyone advise on how to correct this
>imbalance?  I'm proud of my strong quads and don't want to reduce them,
>and if I reduce my cycling (non-paleo, I know ;-)) my spirits suffer along
>with my energy levels.

My wife and I are avid cyclists, and she had some of the same complaints as
you.  The solution for her was to stretch the posterior chain (the calves,
hamstrings, and muscles of the lower back), which tend to really tighten up
in cyclists.  Made all the difference for her.

Tim

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