Influence of physical activity on stability of somatotypes in boys.

The purpose of this study is to examine the stability of somatotypes of boys with different activity levels followed longitudinally for eight years. Thirty-nine boys ated 11 were somatotyped annually (until 18 years) using the Heath-Carter anthropometric rating method. Three sub-groups were formed according to their levels of systematic physical activity designated High, Moderate, and Low Activity. There were no differences in somatochart distributions of the Total Group, but there were considerable individual changes which cancelled each other in group comparisons. All boys changed their somatotype ratings at least once and 67% changed in component dominance. The inter-age correlations for the components were generally of poor prediction value, and the somatotype migratory distances showed considerable variation. The Total Group means differed on three components and this was attributed to differences within the Moderate Activity Group, the only sub-groups to differ. It was concluded that changes occur in somatotypes of adolescent boys, but the influence of physical activity on the changes is inconclusive.     

Changes in somatotypes of European males between 17 and 24 years

In order to examine the possible changes in somatotype of young males, 14 boys who had been somatotyped annually from 11 to 18 years by the Health-Carter anthropometric rating method were re-somatotyped at 24 years. The analysis focused on years 17, 18 and 24. Discriminant analysis, somatotype dispersion indices and distances, and the I-index were used to analyze the data. The findings showed a significant shift in somatotype from ectomorphmesomorph towards endo-mesomorphy between 17 and 24 years. This shift was greater than that observed by Zuk ('58), and was in the same direction. It is hypothesized that the somatotypes of males become more endo-mesomorphic from 17 years to the mid-twenties.     

A somatotype method for young boys

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between the three somatotype componets and selected structural, strength and motor performance characteristics of 12 year old boys. Zero-order correlations, first-order partials, and multiple correlations were computed in an effort to find the variables most highly related to each somatotype component. Although no single anthropometric measure had a correlation of sufficient magnitude with any somatotype component to justify prediction of the component, such prediction was possible by means of regression equations. Utilizing measures of standing height, body weight, and leg length, regression equations were developed which yielded somatotype ratings which were within the range of accuracy of experienced raters. Thus, a practical method of determining the somatotype of young boys was developed without the need for photography or subjective ratings.     

A comparison of somatotype methods

In order to compare Parnell's and Heath's somatotype methods, the authors independently somatotyped a series of 59 adult male and 61 adult female subjects, (1) using the criteria of Heath's method, (2) using the criteria of Parnell's method, and (3) taking into consideration tentatively adapted Parnell criteria in addition to Heath's criteria. The authors conclude that when use similar rating criteria their mean differences are smaller, their overall correlations are similar, and their percentage agreements to a half-unit are higher (96%) than for comparisons reported by other investigators. The study considers the potentially important relationships of measurements of subcutaneous fat to ratings of the first component. The similarity of distributions of subcutaneous fat measurements and of first component ratings in selected samples suggest important interrelationships among ratings of the first component, height/ weight ratios and subcutaneous fat measurements. The authors feel: (1) that Parnell's method fails to modify the basic weaknesses in Sheldon's somatotype method; and (2) that analyses of the anthropometric data basic to Parnell's method, if guided by the criteria of Heath's method, will further objectify and simplify Heath's method, will improve agreement among independent raters, and will increase the usefulness of somatotyping as a research instrument.     

柯尔克孜族成人的体型

探讨新疆柯尔克孜族成人体型特点及其规律,并分析该族群在不同地区(南、北疆)体型的差异性。应用人体测量法,在知情同意原则的基础上,2017年7月至2018年8月,随机抽取新疆南疆和北疆地区柯尔克孜族成人作为调查对象,共计1270名(男551名,女719名)。按年龄、性别、地区分组,对所有调查对象的身高、体质量等10项指标进行了测量,并应用Heath-Carter体型评价法进行体型判定。研究发现,南疆地区柯尔克孜族成人体型具有性别间的差异;南、北疆柯尔克孜族成人体型存在地区间的差异;从体型上看柯尔克孜族与汉族较相似。     

Growth and somatotype patterns of manus children,territory of Papua and New Guinea: Application of a modified somatotype method to the study of growth patterns

The growth and somatotype patterns of Manus children, Territory of Papua and New Guinea, reflected in anthropometric measurements and somatotype photographs, is reported for 438 children, ranging from 15 months of age to maturity. Somatotype distributions and individual somatotype photographs indicate little difference between boys and girls from age 1 to 4 years; between age 5 and 9 years boys shift toward higher second component ratings; between age 10 and 18 years boys shift toward higher second and third component ratings, while girls shift toward higher first and third component ratings. Four sample somatotype photographs are representative of the population at age 10 and 14 years, and show age and sex characters easily noted visually. Comparison of height, weight and subscapula skinfold values show that the Manus children resemble the Kaiapit and Bundi children of the New Guinea highlands populations reported by Malcolm in the form of their growth curves but not in growth rates. Manus children grow more slowly than the British, but faster than the Kaiapit and Bundi children. While low skinfold values and height/weight ratios derived from means for height and weight suggest somatotypic similarity of the Manus, Kaiapit and Bundi populations, somatotype photographs are needed for confirmation. Lacking historical information and genetic evidence, we can speculare that diet, nutrition, climate and perhaps physical activity are factors which influence the growth patterns of these populations. The protein intake derived from fish and other seafood may be an important factor in the relatively fast growth and earlier maturation of the Manus. Malcolm thinks that low protein intake plays an important role with the Kaiapit and Bundi, but does not rule out survival value of slow growth and short stature.     

Morphological differences of elite Croatian track-and-field athletes

In this study we present the morphological characteristics of 54 Croatian national level track-and-field athletes. 21 anthropometric body measures were taken on a sample of 15 sprinters (S), 16 endurance sprinters (S4), 10 middle-distance runners (MD) and 13 long-distance runners (LD). Body fat percentage, body mass index and somatotype were also calculated. Canonical discriminative analysis showed significant difference between the athletes of various running events, in the measures of body volume and body fat, while no significant difference was found in the variables of longitudinal and transversal dimensions of the skeleton. ANOVA and Student t-test for independent samples showed statistically significantly higher thigh and lower leg circumference in sprinters, as well as greater upper arm skinfold in middle-distance runners. The mesomorphic component is a dominant characteristic of somatotype of the runners in all events, whereas the ectomorphic component is the least marked.     

Evidence for higher heritability of somatotype compared to body mass index in female twins

The influence of genetics on human physique and obesity has been addressed by the literature. Evidence for heritability of anthropometric characteristics has been previously described, mainly for the body mass index (BMI). However, few studies have investigated the influence of genetics on the Heath-Carter somatotype. The aim of the present study was to assess the heritability of BMI and somatotype (endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy) in a group of female monozygotic and dizygotic twins from childhood to early adulthood. A total of 28 females aged from 7 to 19 years old were studied. The group included 5 monozygotic and 9 dizygotic pairs of twins. The heritability was assessed by the twin method (h(2)). The anthropometric measures and somatotype were assessed using standard validated procedures. Significant differences between monozygotic and dizygotic pairs of twins were found for height, endomorphy, ectomorphy, and mesomorphy, and the heritability for these measures was high (h(2) between 0.88 and 0.97). No significant differences were found between monozygotic and dizygotic twins for weight, and the BMI and the heritability indexes were lower for these measures (respectively 0.42 and 0.52). The results of the present study have indicated that the somatotype may be more sensible to genetic influences than the BMI in females.     

西藏藏族青少年体型

为了探讨藏族青少年体型发育特征及其规律, 本文应用Heath-Carter体型法对2530名藏族青少年体型进行评价。结果发现, 藏族青少年的平均体型男性为偏中胚层的外胚层型(2.40—3.29—3.72),女性为中间型(3.65—2.87—3.32); 男性的体型以外胚层系体型为主(58.52%), 女性体型以内胚层系(32.62%)和外胚层系为主(35.40%); 随着年龄的增长, 藏族青少年的体型发展有一定的规律, 男性由中胚层-外胚层均衡型经偏中胚层的外胚层型又发展回中胚层-外胚层均衡型, 女性由中胚层-外胚层均衡型经历均衡的外胚层型发展为均衡的内胚层型。因此, 本文认为,藏族男性青少年身体的线性程度高、外形上比较瘦削、肌肉较发达; 藏族女性青少年较男性身体的脂肪含量多、线性程度相对较高。     

Somatotype of the individuals with lower extremity amputation and its association with cardiovascular risk

Anthropometric somatotyping is one of the methods to describe the shape of the human body, which shows some associations with an individual's health and disease condition, especially with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Individuals with lower extremity amputation (LEA) are known to be more vulnerable to the cardiovascular risk. The objectives of the present study are to report the somatotype of the individuals having lower extremity amputation, to study the possible variation in somatotype between two groups of amputated individuals, and to study the association between cardiovascular disease risk factor and somatotype components among individuals with locomotor disability. 102 adult male individuals with unilateral lower-extremity amputation residing in Calcutta and adjoining areas were investigated. The anthropometric data for somatotyping and data on cardiovascular risk traits (such as body mass index, blood pressure measurements, blood lipids) have been collected. The somatotyping technique of Carter & Heath (1990) has been followed. The result shows high mean values of endomorphy and mesomorphy components and a low mean value of the ectomorphy component among the amputated individuals having cardiovascular risks. The results of both discriminant analysis and logistic regression analysis show a significant relationship between somatotype components and CVD risk among the individuals with LEA. The findings of the present study support the findings of similar studies conducted on the normal population. Diagnosis of CVD risk condition through somatotyping can be utilized in prevention/treatment management for the individuals with LEA.     

内蒙古汉族青少年体型分析

运用Heath-Carter体型法,对内蒙古地区3088名（男1489,女1599）7－18岁汉族城乡青少年体型进行分析。结果表明城乡男生偏中胚层型的外胚层型体型最多,中胚层－外胚层均衡型和偏外胚层型的中胚层型 之;城乡女生偏中胚层型的内胚层型体型最多,三胚层中间型和偏内胚层型换上胚层型次之。8－13岁时,同性别同龄组城乡学生的体型差异明显,13岁以后体型接近,城乡男女学生体型的性别间差别显著。     

乌孜别克族成人的体型特点

目的：了解乌孜别克族成人的体型特点。方法：运用HeathCarter体型法对201名（男110,女91）乌孜别克族成人体型进行分析。结果：乌孜别克族男性为偏内胚层的中胚层型体型（3.7—5.1—2.0）,女性为偏中胚层的内胚层型体型（5.9—4.9—1.4）。60岁之前随年龄增长,男女性均呈内、中因子值上升而外因子值下降的趋势,二者体型的性别差异极显著。与其他群体相比,乌孜别克族女性的中因子成分明显占优,男性平均体型则与加拿大人最相似。结论：乌孜别克族成年男女的体格都比较健壮。     

Somatotype in 6-11-year-old Italian and Estonian schoolchildren

The study of somatotypes can contribute to the understanding of variability in human body build. The aim of this study was to compare the somatotypes of Italian and Estonian schoolchildren in order to evaluate factors that might lead to variability in somatotypes. The sample consisted of 762 Italian and 366 Estonian children aged 6-11 years. They were somatotyped by the Heath-Carter anthropometric method. Data on organised extra-curricular physical activity and hours of weekly training were also collected. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate country-related variations of somatotype in each age/sex group, while factorial ANOVA was used to test the influence of country and organised physical activity on the variability of the anthropometric characteristics and somatotype components.There are significant differences in mean somatotypes between the Italian and Estonian children in many age classes and a different constitutional trend in children from the two different countries is observed. The Italian children are more endomorphic and less mesomorphic and ectomorphic than the Estonian children. On the other hand, it emerges from factorial ANOVA, that the somatotype components do not present significant variations related to organised physical activity and to the interaction between the country of origin and sport practice. Moreover, the results of the forward stepwise discriminant analyses show that mesomorphy is the best discriminator between the two countries, followed by ectomorphy.Our findings suggest that the observed differences between Italian and Estonian children could be related mainly to country rather than to the practice of organised physical activity in the two countries.     

Study of somatotype in Italian children aged 6 to 10 years

The aim of the present research was to study the variations of somatotype, calculated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric technique, during growth in a sample of children (416 males and 402 females), aged 6 and 10 years, attending primary and secondary schools of L'Aquila and its province (Abruzzo, Italy). The sample was subdivided into “urban” and “non-urban” groups, on the basis of the residence of the children, to examine possible differences in growth related to the different environments. This study give an account of the somatotype components between urban and non urban childreen between the age 6 and 10 years. A tendency toward an increase of endomorphy (adipose component) with age was noticed in both sexes. In females, ectomorphy (component of physical linearity) tended to increase and mesomorphy (muscular-skeletal component) showed a slight decrease during growth, while males exhibited a discontinuous trend. The differences between urban and non-urban children were not significant, although generally higher values of endomorphy and mesomorphy were found in males and females of the urban sample. The differences between the sexes consisted of higher values of endomorphy and lower values of mesomorphy in females. Ectomorphy was similar in the two sexes.     

中国莽人、僜人、珞巴族与门巴族Heath-Carter法体型研究

作者于2006—2007年在云南、西藏调查了中国莽人、僜人、珞巴族、门巴族体重、身高、上臂收缩围、小腿围、肱骨内外上髁间径、股骨内外上髁间径、肱三头肌位皮褶、肩胛下位皮褶、髂前上棘位皮褶和腓肠肌位皮褶10项指标值,计算了4个族群的Heath-Carter法体型值。研究结果显示: 1)在南方族群中, 莽人身矮体轻, 身体细瘦, 皮脂菲薄, 肌肉不发达。僜人身矮体轻, 身体细瘦, 男性肌肉较发达, 皮脂厚度中等。女性肌肉发达, 皮脂厚。珞巴族与门巴族均身材高, 体重大, 身体粗壮, 皮脂厚, 肌肉发达。2)门巴族男性为偏内胚层的中胚层体型, 莽人、僜人、珞巴族男性为均衡的中胚层体型。僜人、珞巴族、门巴族女性为偏中胚层的内胚层体型, 莽人女性为偏内胚层的中胚层体型。莽人、僜人、珞巴族男性具有南亚类型族群的体型特征, 门巴族男性具有北亚类型族群体型特征。莽人女性具有南亚类型族群的体型特征, 僜人、珞巴族、门巴族女性具有北亚类型族群的体型特征。     

Gender differences in anaerobic power tests

The purpose of this study was to determine if the differences in anaerobic power between males and females could be accounted for by differences in body composition, strength, and neuromuscular function. A total of 82 untrained men and 99 women took part in the study. Body composition, somatotype, isometric strength, neuromuscular function were measured, and four anaerobic power tests performed. The men were significantly different from the women on all strength, power, and neuromuscular measurements except reaction time and on all anthropometric and somatotype dimensions except ectomorphy. Strength and anthropometric dimensions were similarly related to anaerobic power values within each sex. Relative fat (%fat) exerted different degrees of influence on sprint and jump performances in each sex. Removing the influence of anthropometric, strength, and neuromuscular differences by analysis of covariance reduced, but did not remove, the significant differences between the sexes. Therefore, factors other than lean body mass, leg strength, and neuromuscular function may be operating in short-term, explosive power performances to account for the differences between the sexes. The task-specific nature of anaerobic power tests and the relatively large influence of anthropometric factors on power production were confirmed.     

Body shape in relation to socio-economic status in young adults from the basque Country

Body shape has a great variability determined, partly, by energy intake and physical activity, as well as by gender and age. The aim of this research was to analyse the relation between socio-economic status (SES) and body shape estimated through the somatotype, in a sample of university students. The sample included 316 males and 635 females aged 18-33. Somatotype was estimated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric technique. The information included data of SES. A MANOVA test was used to test differences among groups. The mean somatotypes were 4.0-4.4-2.3 in males and 5.4 -3.4-2.2 in females. Sexual dimorphism for the whole somatotype was found (p < 0.001). There is a greater stability of the body shape in females regarding SES and more variability in males. Males' somatotype was significantly related to SES, low socioeconomic levels were associated with high values of endomorphy and mesomorphy.