## 4 Discussion
Today, understanding these evolutionary implications can aid in developing more tailored nutritional and hydration strategies for ultraendurance athletes and individuals engaging in fasting-based training. The findings of this study also offer direct applications for special populations, such as military personnel, providing insights for enhancing their physical preparedness and resilience in demanding operational scenarios [43; 44]. To further comprehend the evolutionary implications of fasting and endurance performance, future research could explore the genetic and epigenetic aspects of ultraendurance athletes and individuals practicing fasting-based training. Investigations into how specific genes related to metabolism and energy utilization may influence performance and adaptation to caloric restriction could provide valuable insights. Additionally, studies focusing on different hunter-gatherer populations with varying lifestyles and geographic locations may offer a broader understanding of the evolutionary adaptations that have occurred over time. One limitation of this study is the relatively small sample size. The research was conducted with a limited number of participants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to a larger population. A larger sample size would provide more robust and representative data, allowing for stronger conclusions to be drawn. Another limitation is the potential influence of confounding variables. Although efforts were made to recreate the hunter-gatherer lifestyle through physical activity and caloric restriction, it is possible that other factors, such as individual differences in metabolism or genetic variations, could have influenced the psychophysiological response. These factors were not explicitly controlled for in the study, which may introduce confounding effects and limit the accuracy of the results. This study exclusively analyzed male participants, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings to the broader population, including females, and possibly overlooking gender-specific psychophysiological responses. Future research should prioritize studies focusing on female participants to provide a more comprehensive understanding of gender differences in these contexts. Additionally, the study design focused on a short-term intervention, with the participants engaging in a 4-day walking event without caloric consumption. This limited duration may not fully capture the long-term effects and adaptations that would occur in a true hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Future studies could explore longer-term interventions to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the psychophysiological response to recreating the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Furthermore, the study primarily relied on self-report measures and subjective assessments of psychophysiological response. While these measures provide valuable insights, they are inherently prone to bias and subjectivity. Incorporating objective measurements, such as biomarkers or physiological recordings, could enhance the validity and reliability of the findings. Lastly, the study focused on recreating the physical activity and caloric restriction aspects of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle, but it did not consider other factors such as social dynamics, cultural practices, or environmental influences. These additional factors play important roles in the overall lifestyle and well-being of hunter-gatherer communities, and their exclusion in this study limits the comprehensive understanding of the topic.