SOMATOTYPES

A Somatotype is another name for Body build or Physique. It describes how thin, fat or muscular you are. Different Somatotypes suit different activities for a variety of reasons.

By the end of today’s lesson you should know what the three extreme Somatotypes are, be able to describe each one and understand how a combination of body types helps athletes to become elite performers in their chosen activities.

These are the three ‘extreme’ Somatotypes. Let us look in greater detail at each of them, starting with a picture of Mr. Pashley in his trunks by the side of the Pool on a dark night.

MESOMORPH

Characteristics of a Mesomorph

Large square head V or wedge shaped body

Very little fat High proportion of muscle

Wide shoulders Thin Waist

Look at the picture and comment on shape of head, overall body shape, proportion of fat & muscle, shoulders and waist.

The first type of Somatotype we are going toexamine is the MESOMORPH.

Way to Remember Mesomorph

M is for Muscles or Mr. Pashley!!

EcTomorph

Here are a list of words – some of them accurately describe what an Ectomorph’s body would look like – others are there to put you off. Can you decide which are appropriate and which aren’t?

• Thin• Tall• Square Jaw• High forehead• Pear shaped body• Slim hips• High muscle mass• Narrow shoulders• Powerful body mass

Paula Radcliffe is a good example of anEctomorph body type.

Way to remember EcTomorph

T is for Thin or Twig-like

EnDomorphShape of face

Proportion ofBody Fat.

Width of ankles & wrists compared to rest of bodyOverall

body shape

Way to remember EnDomorph –

D is for Dumpy or Doughnuts

Linking Somatotype to Sports

• It is important to recognise that extreme Somatotypes are rarely good performers.

• Most top class Games players need POWER, SPEED & STRENGTH in varying degrees and are therefore a combination of Body types.

• A tall but powerful frame is therefore said to be a MESO-ECTOMORPH.

• A wide, strong & heavy frame is therefore said to be a MESO-ENDOMORPH.

Let’s see if you can identify some Sporty Somatotypes

A clip or a picture of a person playing a Sport will be shown. Your task is to write down the Sport and say which Somatotype is best suited to that activity and WHY !

First Activity: Long Distance Running

Zola Budd

Answer to which Somatotype suits Long Distance Running

• The best Somatotype for Long Distance Running is a Meso-Ectomorph who is fairly short & light. Note that they will be significantly more Ectomorph than Mesomorph. Why is this do you think?

Carrying excess weight in the form of muscle is a drain on Endurance levels and will fatigue the athlete faster. Little body fat is a definite advantage too and we would expect Long Distance runners to have very low levels of fat due to the amount of training they do over a typical week.

Next Activity: Rugby

Look at the clip and say which body type is best suited to Rugby. Look out especially for the crunching tackles and their body shape!

Answer to which Body Type is best suited to Rugby

Some (but not all) positions in Rugby require bulk and power to increase their chances of making or breaking tackles. Therefore the best Somatotype for this situation is a MESO-ENDOMORPH.

Discuss the qualities and Somatotype needed to be an effective Winger in Rugby. Watch this clip of a Winger scoring a try to give you some ideas.

If you are a Winger in Rugby, your job is more reliant on Speed rather than tackling ability. You need to be aware that sometimesdifferent positions IN THE SAME GAME require different body types to be effective.

Use the Somatotype Grid to Match the Sport to the Activity

Name of Sport Best fit Somatotype

Reason / Other Notes

Volleyball

100m Sprinter

Shot-Putt

Basketball

High-jumper