Somatotypes explained...

Lately there have been a lot of pictures circulating the internet that depict the 3 body type classifications and 3 people who apparently epitomise these classifications. Having a Bsc in fitness and health myself I look at these people and think that people have totally the wrong idea as to the definitions of what makes an ectomorph, endomorph and mesomorph. So this will be my attempt at clearing up this subject and possibly looking at finding the correct people who fit into these categories.

First of I think the best way to start this is giving a small introduction to somatotype’s.  In the 1940’s W.H. Sheldon along with others introduced the world to the term “somatotype” in the varieties of human physique. Sheldon declared that the purpose behind this was to “provide a three dimensional system for description of the human physique”.  Now this meant he never intended to class people as one classification or the other. 

What are the Classifications?

Endomorph (711):

Usually this individual has short limbs and easily gains adipose weight. This will of course hamper their athletic ability in sports needing speed and agility. However sports of pure strength and power really do lend themselves to Endomorphs. Weightlifters and sumo wrestlers will predominantly fall more towards this category then others.

Mesomorph(171):

Mesomorphs will excel in sports where strength, agility and speed are dominant. With a medium height and tendency to gain muscle very easily makes them great athletes if trained effectively. Sustaining low body fat and can respond to cardio and resistance training.

Ectomorph (117):

Normally these individuals are tall, slender and thin. So this would lend them to more endurance and flexibility sports. They can tone and maintain very low body fat percentages but building mass if very difficult for these Athletes.

How the Somatotype scale works…

Sheldon created a rating system to help classify athlete’s somatotype. This rating was based on a 1-7 scale and gave a score for all 3 classifications. The order the scale works in is Endomorph, mesomorph and then ectomorph. If anyone did by any chance fall into the very extreme of the classifications there somatotype would look like the number combinations after the headings above.

Below I have included a version of the somatotype diagram depicting where certain Athletes would average on the scale. As you can see, no one can be classed as a pure endomorph, mesomorph or ectomorph.

So using this information I will give you a few famous athletes, I want you to try to guess which class they predominantly lean towards and if you’re really good, try to guess there scale rating. 

Michael Phelps                  Mo Farah             Bradley Wiggins

Serena Williams                 Usain Bolt            Arnold schwarzenegger

Muhammad Ali                  Peter Crouch        Andy Murray     

Castro Giovanni                Chris Hoy             George St. Pierre

References:

Carter, L. Heath, B,L.. (1990). Somatotyping- development and applications. Cambridge University Press. 1-16.

BAYIOS, I.A. et al. (2006) Anthropometric, body composition and somatotype differences of Greek elite female basketball, volleyball and handball players. MD.J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 46 (2), p. 271-80

SHELDON, W.H. and STEVENS, S.S. and TUCKER, W.B. (c.1940) The varieties of human physique. Oxford, England: Harper

HEATH, B.H. J. E. and CARTER, J.E.L. (1967) A modified somatotype method. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 27 (1), p. 57–74