The article talks about how the researchers evaluated the efficiency of a runner. They measured the length of the tendon from a point on the heel to just below the ankle with an MRI. The shorter the distance, the more energy stored in the tendon and so the greater the force required to stretch it. So people with shorter tendons use less energy to run for longer and so are more efficient at running. They took the remains of Neanderthals and compared them to remains of Homo Sapiens and did their measurements. The conclusion was that sapiens were better runners.
The article does a good job of outlining what was done and how they made their comparisons and measurements. I'm not quite sure that their idea that tendon length was the best factor involved in running efficiency. I'm sure diet and behaviour play a part in it. The article mentioned that part in one sentence and didn't pursue it any further.
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