Nothing is as exciting as to dig in the past and find clues that help to understand how body functions and muscle use were intuitively exploited and enhanced by passive tools invented by our ancestors. The inherent limitations of human musculo-skeletal system in coping with challenging terrains/environments, with the need to move faster and to use less metabolic energy, stimulated human ingenuity to produce solutions allowing the same engine (muscle) to dissipate less energy through an ‘enhanced’ body machine. Archaeological specimens, ancient manuscripts and documentation, combined with the current knowledge of physiology and biomechanics allow to understand, for instance, the evolution of cross country skiis, of bicycle,  and of ice skates.

The results from these studies are potentially useful to anthropologists and historians.