Traditionally, Neanderthals have been thought to owe their distinctive morphology to adaptation for cold glacial conditions in Europe. However, recent environmental studies challenge this view, indicating that Neanderthal presence is primarily associated with interglacial periods. An alternative hypothesis proposes that their robust anatomy evolved as an adaptation to ambush hunting, requiring short, powerful sprints. This project aims to test that hypothesis by evaluating whether traits such as a straight spine and broad pelvis align with the demands of rapid, forceful locomotion. I will perform forward simulations of sprinting in both Neanderthals and contemporary athletes, validating results with empirical motion and morphological data from the latter group. Key variables—including thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic morphology, joint kinematics and kinetics, muscle activation, joint contact forces, and cost of transport (COT)—will be analysed across morphotypes. A sprint-adapted body is expected to exhibit higher joint moments, lower muscle activation, reduced lumbar joint forces, and a lower COT. This project will contribute to the ongoing debate about Neanderthal functional morphology and offer insights into how locomotor strategies influenced human evolution.