Ikarian: Difference between revisions

### 1. **Enhanced Musculature:**

Over generations, through a mix of deliberate genome sculpting and natural selection driven by their competitive culture, Ikarians developed denser muscle fibers, granting them greater strength and endurance than average humans. This enhancement allows them to excel in physical contests and endure the intense physical regimen they follow from childhood.

### 2. **Optimized Metabolism:**

The Ikarian metabolic rate has been tweaked for maximum efficiency. Their bodies can burn calories faster during competition but also conserve energy efficiently during rest. This allows them to maintain lean physiques while also granting them the stamina needed for long-duration races.

### 3. **UV Resistance and Radiance:**

The unique radiation from Pulsar Solis necessitated evolutionary change. Over time, Ikarians developed a thicker epidermis and a melanin variant that glows with a slight amber hue when exposed to their sun. This not only protects them from harmful radiation but gives them a unique, luminescent appearance.

### 4. **Enhanced Reflexes:**

Critical for their racing and competitive edge, Ikarians possess reflexes that are about twice as fast as an average human's. This is the result of both genetic engineering and the planet's unique gravitational attributes.

### 5. **Ocular Adaptations:**

Ikarians have eyes that are more sensitive to movement, thanks to a higher concentration of motion-sensitive cells. They also have a slight shift in color perception, allowing them to see a broader spectrum of the color orange, an adaptation to their orange dwarf star.

### 6. **Cardiovascular Fortitude:**

Ikarian hearts are slightly larger with more robust vascular networks, ensuring efficient blood flow during intense physical exertion. It also gives them a higher red blood cell count, allowing for better oxygenation during activities.

### 7. **Cognitive Resilience:**

The obsession with physical perfection has also affected their brain. Ikarians can handle high-stress situations, like competitive events, with a calm demeanor. They have heightened concentration levels, especially in high-adrenaline situations.

### 8. **Pheromonal Evolution:**

Being a society obsessed with competition and physicality, Ikarians evolved unique pheromones that play a role in social interactions and mating. These pheromones can signal an individual's recent athletic achievements, adding a new dimension to their competitive nature.

### 9. **Skeletal Reinforcements:**

To support their enhanced musculature, Ikarian bones are denser and more durable than those of other humans. This also offers them added protection against the physical strains of their intense athletic pursuits.

### 10. **Pulmonary Efficiency:**

Adapted to Ikaros' thick atmosphere, Ikarians have larger lung capacities. This allows them to intake more oxygen in a single breath, crucial for their stamina-driven athletic events.

### Ikarian Physical Averages:

#### 1. **Height:**

Average height of approximately 6'8" (203 cm) for both men and women, a result of both natural evolution and genomic sculpting

#### 2. **Weight:**

- **Men**: 280 lbs

- **Women**: 230 lbs

#### 3. **Lifespan:**

- Average lifespan of 120-130 years, owing to advanced healthcare and optimized genetics.

#### 4. **Body Fat Percentage:**

- **Men**: Around 8-12%

- **Women**: Around 16-20%

#### 5. **Resting Heart Rate:**

- Average of 50-60 bpm, indicative of cardiovascular fitness.

#### 6. **VO2 Max (a measure of aerobic endurance):**

- 50-60 mL/kg/min, well above the human average, especially for their age groups.

#### 7. **Bone Density:**

- Approximately 1.3 g/cm³, compared to the Earth human average of about 1.05 g/cm³.

#### 8. **Muscle Fiber Composition:**

- Fast-twitch to slow-twitch ratio is around 50:50, offering a balance of speed and endurance.

#### 9. **Vision:**

- 20/10 vision is common, allowing them to see at 20 feet what a regular human could see at 10 feet.

#### 10. **Reaction Time:**

- An average of 150 milliseconds, almost twice as fast as the average human's 250 milliseconds.

#### 2. **Skin Color:**

- A distinctive golden sheen and hue, an adaptation to their sun, Pulsar Solis. This provides them with some natural radiation resistance and has become a cultural symbol of their celestial heritage.

#### 3. **Eye Color:**

- Eyes that resemble jewels, with vibrant colors such as sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red. This is not just a cosmetic feature; their unique eye composition allows for a broader spectrum of vision.

The other physical attributes can remain as previously described, emphasizing their physical prowess and adaptability. This new height, golden skin, and jewel-like eyes make them an immediately recognizable and distinct subset of humanity.