Final answer:
Endurance running utilizes an inverted pendulum mechanism. It is a form of locomotion where the human body has specifically adapted for efficiency, characterized by sweating and a high proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of which statement is true of endurance running has several aspects that pertain to biology and human physiology. The correct answer is that endurance running utilizes an inverted pendulum mechanism. This describes the energy-saving process where the center of mass vaults over the stance leg, which acts like a pendulum. Endurance running, especially as it pertains to humans, suggests that our bodies have evolved for this type of locomotion, allowing for efficient long-distance traveling. For instance, a high distal limb mass would not be beneficial for endurance running, as it would require more energy to move heavy limbs. Additionally, there is no set optimal speed for endurance running; rather, speed can vary greatly among individuals. Endurance running is not unique to humans, as some other species demonstrate endurance running capabilities, although humans are exceptionally proficient at it because of our specific adaptations for long-distance running, such as better heat dissipation through sweating and the abundance of slow-twitch muscle fibers which enhance endurance.