Physique/SomatotypePhysique/Somatotype

ObjectivesObjectives

•Consider the link between body type Consider the link between body type and somatotypeand somatotype

•Consider the three types of Consider the three types of somatotype that existsomatotype that exist

•Consider the most suitable body Consider the most suitable body type for a role or position in a type for a role or position in a particular sport.particular sport.

• Physique (the form, size and development of a Physique (the form, size and development of a person’s body) is closely linked to body type.person’s body) is closely linked to body type.

• It is something that you are born with and It is something that you are born with and develops naturally. It is determined develops naturally. It is determined genetically. Therefore you have little control genetically. Therefore you have little control over it. over it.

• Body shape, composition and musculature can Body shape, composition and musculature can be improved but you cannot make drastic be improved but you cannot make drastic changes such as increasing your height or changes such as increasing your height or your basic bone structure.your basic bone structure.

Body composition:Body composition: the %age of body weight that is fat, muscle and bone. the %age of body weight that is fat, muscle and bone.

Musculature:Musculature: the system or arrangement of muscles on the body. the system or arrangement of muscles on the body.

•People come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Body type or physique can greatly affect performance in different activities.

• Body type is also known as somatotype which was identified by an American called William Sheldon.

•There are three types of extreme Somatotype:- Ectomorph

Mesomorph Endomorph

Somatotypes:Somatotypes: different body types based on shape, most commonly different body types based on shape, most commonly ectomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph.ectomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph.

• Your somatotype may mean you are Your somatotype may mean you are more suited a certain sport or more suited a certain sport or activity than others.activity than others.

• Some activities will be more difficult Some activities will be more difficult with little chance of success.with little chance of success.

ECTOMORPHECTOMORPHEctomorphs have the following

characteristics:Long, slender and thin

Very little muscle or body fat

Narrow hips and shoulders

Thin legs and arms

A narrow chest and abdomen

Thin face and high forehead

EctomorphEctomorph

• Owing to their slight build they are Owing to their slight build they are not suited to power events but can not suited to power events but can succeed at endurance events and succeed at endurance events and gymnastics where their slight frame gymnastics where their slight frame is an advantage.is an advantage.

MesomorphMesomorphMesomorphs have the following

characteristics:Very little body fat

A muscular body

Broad shoulders and narrow hips

A large head

Strong forearms and thighs

MesomorphMesomorph

• An extreme mesomorph can excel in An extreme mesomorph can excel in speed, agility and strength sports as speed, agility and strength sports as well as being suited to swimming.well as being suited to swimming.

• Their body type makes them suitable Their body type makes them suitable for most sports at a high level.for most sports at a high level.

EndomorphEndomorph

Endomorphs have the following characteristics:Pear shaped body

A lot of body fat

A lot of fat on the upper arms and

thighs

Wide hips and narrow shoulders

Fairly slim wrists and ankles

Short legs in relation to their trunks.

EndomorphEndomorph

• Endomorphs will have difficulty in Endomorphs will have difficulty in weight bearing aerobic exercises such weight bearing aerobic exercises such as distance running but in sports such as distance running but in sports such as rugby, their bulk will have an as rugby, their bulk will have an advantage in certain playing positions advantage in certain playing positions such as pack members in the scrum.such as pack members in the scrum.

• Trunk: the middle part of your body (midsection)Trunk: the middle part of your body (midsection)

So which is which??So which is which??

So which is which??So which is which??

Which somatotype?Which somatotype?

•All performers are made up of elements of these three extreme somatotypes.

•Most people have a mixture of mesomorphic, endomorphic and ectomorphic characteristics.

•A person’s somatotype can be graded using a scoring system. They are given 3 scores between 1 and 7, according to how well they conform to each of the extreme somatotypes.

•1 is a low score, 7 is a high score. For example:

1, 7, 2

Low endomorph High mesomorph Low ectomorph

Which Somatotype?Which Somatotype?

• Everyone is a mixture of all three Everyone is a mixture of all three basic body types, with most ratings basic body types, with most ratings 3 4 4 or 3 5 2 or close to that.3 4 4 or 3 5 2 or close to that.

• Your somatotype could be well suited Your somatotype could be well suited to a particular sport or you could be to a particular sport or you could be particularly unsuited to another!!! particularly unsuited to another!!!

• It makes sense for you to identify this It makes sense for you to identify this early in the sport rather than having early in the sport rather than having to keep trying to overcome the to keep trying to overcome the limitations of your body. limitations of your body.

Potential!Potential!• In the 1990’s the Australians ran national In the 1990’s the Australians ran national

programme called Sport Search . All programme called Sport Search . All schoolchildren were measured and their schoolchildren were measured and their somatotypes and levels of fitness were somatotypes and levels of fitness were matched to certain sports.matched to certain sports.

• In the past much of eastern Europe ran In the past much of eastern Europe ran similar programmes and often very young similar programmes and often very young children were taken to sports camps and children were taken to sports camps and trained in the sports which their trained in the sports which their somatotypes suggested that they could somatotypes suggested that they could excel in.excel in.

• Examples of this would be female extreme Examples of this would be female extreme ectomorphs would be trained as gymnasts ectomorphs would be trained as gymnasts – why?– why?

• Extreme endomorphs would be suited to Extreme endomorphs would be suited to weightlifting so they would be put on a weightlifting so they would be put on a training regime to bulk up muscle.training regime to bulk up muscle.

• Extreme mesomorphs would be well suited Extreme mesomorphs would be well suited to swimming or basketball or high jump – to swimming or basketball or high jump – all top performers in these sports are over all top performers in these sports are over 6 feet tall6 feet tall

MesomorphMesomorphThe mesomorphic shape is the most common body shape among elite performers.

Most sports favour the strong, muscular limbs and low body fat of the mesomorphic shape.

The American swimmer, Michael Phelps, has a classic mesomorphic body shape.

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• So does So does Rebecca Rebecca AdlingtonAdlington

• Now try to Now try to name 2 name 2 men and 2 men and 2 women who women who are also are also mesomorphmesomorphss

• There are of course lots of sports where There are of course lots of sports where you can succeed whatever your you can succeed whatever your somatotype and also it is worth somatotype and also it is worth remembering that some aspects of your remembering that some aspects of your body type can change as you grow and body type can change as you grow and develop – such as height and weight.develop – such as height and weight.

• Your true somatotype will not be Your true somatotype will not be established until you are fully grown.established until you are fully grown.

Somatotypes in sportSomatotypes in sportCertain somatotypes tend to be found in certain sports.

The ideal somatotype for a performer will depend on their sport or event. In some cases, the position that they play in a particular sport might also be important.

Consider, for example, the various body sizes and shapes in a rugby team.

Somatotypes in sportSomatotypes in sport

Key TermsKey Terms

• Body composition:Body composition: the %age of body the %age of body weight that is fat, muscle and bone.weight that is fat, muscle and bone.

• Musculature:Musculature: the system or arrangement the system or arrangement of muscles on the body.of muscles on the body.

• Somatotypes:Somatotypes: different body types based different body types based on shape, most commonly ectomorph, on shape, most commonly ectomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph.mesomorph and ectomorph.

• Trunk:Trunk: the middle part of your body the middle part of your body (midsection)(midsection)

Examiner’s Tip!

You not only need to know categories of somatotypes but you also need to know specifically how a particular body type could affect the choice of and its suitability for a particular event or activity.