Classic somatotyping: 3 components of same order: - Endomorphy = Centered on abdomen + whole digestive system - Mesomorphy = Focused on muscles + circulatory system. - Ectomorphy = Related to brain + NS. 3 no. give the magnitude of each of the 3: (Endomorphy-Mesopmorphy-Ectomorphy) i.e 3-5-2

Week 12 - Somatotyping, Growth & Maturation Flashcards by Holly Tomlinson

Define somatotyping

System of classifying body types in terms of 3 categories to represent 3 extremes.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is somatotyping used for?

To appraise body shape

Describe physique NOT composition

To quantify the shape of the human body

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the 3 somatotypes named after?

3 germ layers of embryonic development.

Endoderm (develops into digestive tract)
Mesoderm (becomes muscle, heart + bv)
Ectoderm (forms the skin + NS)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Dr. William Herbert Sheldon

American psychologist who pioneered the use of anthropometry in the development of categories.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Somatotype method development

Originally proposed as a genotypic morphology rating on a 7 point scale by Sheldon (1940).

Drew from earlier work by Kretschmer (1921) who classified 3 ‘poles’ to represent extreme physique variation + Viola (1933) relating dimensions of thorax, trunk + limbs to a ‘normotype’.

Partly influenced by an alternative methodology from Parnell (1954), Heath + Carter (1967) introduced a 3 numerical rating somatotype. - Has become the most universally applied, involving a photoscopic + anthropometric method, later to be revised in 1990.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Heath-Carter method

Classic somatotyping:

3 components of same order:

Endomorphy = Centered on abdomen + whole digestive system
Mesomorphy = Focused on muscles + circulatory system.
Ectomorphy = Related to brain + NS.

3 no. give the magnitude of each of the 3: (Endomorphy-Mesopmorphy-Ectomorphy) i.e 3-5-2

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Heath-Carter method

no. to magnitudes

0.5-2.5 = low 
3-5 = moderate 
5.5-7 = high 
>7.5 = very high

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What shape are endomorphs

Pear

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Head of a endomorph

Rounded

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Hips + shoulders of an endomorph

Wide

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Front to back + side to side of an endomorph

Wider front to back than side to side

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Fat location on endomorph

Lot of fat on upper arms + thighs

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Arm + leg length for endomorph

Short

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What shape are mesomorphs

Wedge shaped body

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Head of mesomorphs

Cubical

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Shoulders of mesomorphs

Wide + broad

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Arms + legs of mesomorphs

Muscled

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Hips of mesomorphs

Narrow

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Front to back + side to side of mesomorphs

Narrow front to back rather than side to side

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Fat on mesomorphs

Min. amount

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Head of ectomorph

High forehead

Receding chin

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Shoulder + hips of ectomorph

Narrow

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Chest + abdomen of ectomorph

Narrow

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Arms + legs of ectomorph

thin

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Muscle + fat of. ectomorph

Little

Endomorphs + sports What does their mass do?

⬇️ their ability to complete in sports w/ high levels of agility, speed + weight bearing aerobic activities.

Endomorphs + sports What are they suited to?

Pure strength i.e power lifting

Sporting benefits to endomorphs

Size = Rugby = bulk useful if moved powerfully. Large lung capacity = rowing Can incr. muscle mass easily

Mesomorphs + sports

Excels in strength, agility + speed. Can sustain low body fat. Find it easy to lose + gain weight.

Sporting benefits to mesomorphs

Respond well to CV + resistance training. All muscle groups can be used to derive + training adaptations.

Ectomorphs + sports What does their long + thin build leave them susceptible to?

Injuries

Ectomorphs + sports What does their lack of muscle mass mean?

Limits their chances in sports req. mass.

Ectomorphs + sports What sports do they dominate

Endurance, jump sports + gymnastics,

Ectomorphs + sports Sporting benefits

Light frame = Aerobic activity Smaller body surface area = enhances suitability for endurance activity. Better at thermoregulation = important in endurance based sports.

How is somatotypes most commonly measured?

Using the Heath-Carter Measurement system

Heath-Carter measurement system What are the 3 ways

Anthropometric method Photoscopic method Anthropometric + photoscopic method

What's req for the endomorphic component of the heath-carter measurement?

Tricep Subscapular Supraspinale

What's req for the mesomorphic component of the heath-carter measurement?

Humerus width bicep girth tricep SK height calf SK Calf girth Femur width

What's req for the ectomorphic component of the heath-carter measurement?

Height + weight

Whats the relevance of somatotyping

Provides overall summary of physique Combines an appraisal of relative adiposity, muscle-skeletal robustness + linearity of physique. Provides a 3 no. rating which can be visualised Used to describe + compare athletes Used to describe changes due to training, ageing + growth.

Define growth

⬆️ in body size Variable process + end points Continues throughout life

Define maturation

Process of becoming fully mature Variable process w/ defined end points Sexual, dental + skeletal

What are the determinants of somatic growth

Genotype Environment (nutrition, activity...) Endocrine system

What are the physiological determinants of peak bone mass

Genetic factors Hormonal factors Nutritional factors Mechanical factors

What are the ways in which to measure growth?

Recumbent length Stature Recumbent knee height Sitting height

MEASURING GROWTH Recumbent length

From birth until child can stand.

Is growth in stature a continuous process?

MEASURING GROWTH Stature

Similar to adults Preferred measure

What is growth characterised by?

Periods of 'stepwise' interments followed by a variable period of stasis (2-100 days). Increments vary between 0.5-2.5cm in amplitude + occur w/in a 24hr window

MEASURING GROWTH Recumbent knee height

Used to estimate stature in elderly or disabled populations.

MEASURING GROWTH Sitting height

Legs account for 60-70% of height in early years. Mature = 50%.

How do females change in growth after adolescence?

Shorter legs

How do males change in growth pre adolescence?

Shorter trunks

Age range for cessation of growth in stature for females

17-18

Age range for cessation of growth in stature for males

21-22

What is peak height velocity (PHV)

Measure of Max rate of growth in height during a growth spurt.

How can you determine the age that PHV will occur in girls

Seated height + stature at 11.8 yrs

How can you determine the age that PHV will occur in boys

Seated height + stature at 13.7 yrs

What may happen at growth spurt?

Motor performance might be disrupted

What is peak weight velocity (PWV)

Max rate of growth in body weight Occurs after PHV Mature body weight is ~20 times that of birth weight

At what age does body weight peak

What happens to body weight at ages 45-60

Remains stable or declines

What assessment method is there for skeletal maturity?

X-rays

What assessment method is there for dental age?

Whether teeth have erupted

What assessment method is there for dental maturity?

no. of teeth + x-rays

What assessment method is there for age of menarche?

Onset + frequency

What is menarche?

1st occurrence of menstruation.