So, we see these stories every once in a while — a seemly superhuman strength in a moment of crisis.
“Call him the ’super samaritan' after seeing a fellow driver’s SUV engulfed in flames.” (Via Fox News)
“The driver couldn’t get out until the other man defied the limits of human strength.” (Via CBS)
The ’superman' talk is coming out of Minnesota, where Bob Renning pulled Mike Johannes out of his burning SUV Sunday night, saving his life.
“When he tried to escape, he found the locks disabled. He started kicking the doors as smoke filled the SUV. Then, the glass cracked, and a hand reached inside.”(Via KARE)
JOHANNES: “He bent the door with his bare hands.”(Via KARE)
Yeah, with his bare hands, and Renning suffered no injuries — no burns, no cuts. He didn’t know Johannes before this. He stopped to save a stranger. Of course terms like ’superhuman‘, and ’miraculous strength’ are being used.
“With superhuman strength you bend that door and window open.”(Via FOX)
RENNING: “As far as the strength, I have no clue where that came from.” (Via FOX)
We had to find out. What’s really at work in the human body in situations like this?
A 2009 article from the Scientific American says that the body’s ‘fear response’ is responsible for these almost unbelievable acts.
“Under acute stress, the body’s sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for sustained, vigorous action. The adrenal gland dumps cortisol and adrenaline into the blood stream. Blood pressure surges and the heart races, delivering oxygen and energy to the muscles.”
But KARE reported Renning credited his heart for the feat, not fear.It’s unclear exactly what he meant by “heart,” but a 2012 NBC article might offer some insight. The reporter spoke to an expert in neurology, and presents that doctor’s argument that adrenaline isn’t the whole story.
Fear, fatigue, and pain prevent people from attempting feats of amazing strength in daily life...While the adrenaline fueled fight-or-flight reflex spurs people into action, the body’s entire stress response contributes to superhuman strength. Cascades of enzymes and proteins release, helping people sustain the activity.”
That experts says that the real key is endorphins - the body releases endorphins in that critical moment, making the person feel good and making their brain focused on the task on hand. Even if that task is “bending the door’s frame with his bare hands.”(Via CBS)
“I owe a debt of gratitude to Bob, who saved my life”(Via CBS), but whether it’s adrenaline, endorphins, or a combination, both experts agree that in moments of crisis, the body can access reserves of energy it doesn’t normally get to. It can even stop feeling pain. It’s unclear what caused Johannes’ car to burst into flames, but he said his just thankful that he’s still around for his daughter and his wife.
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