Through 2 million years of evolution, humans developed an ability to throw with speed and accuracy that no other animal can match. According to a study published in the journal Nature, chimpanzees are incredibly strong and naturally athletic, but can’t throw an object more than 20 miles per hour.

Early humans perfected a method of safely hunting dangerous prey at a distance using stones and sharpened sticks. This allowed them to obtain more protein and calorie rich meat, which promoted further development of their bodies and brains.

True Strength Moment: To throw a spear or fastball, humans stretch muscle tendons and ligaments by rotating the throwing arm away from the target. This action stores elastic energy that is released when the arm accelerates forward. Like any physical skill, overuse can take something off your game, so make sure your recovery lets you come back stronger and even more accurate.