Oct. 29, 07
Class#: 13
Assignment 4: Somatotypes
Data Interpretation
1. What is your somatotype?
The ratio determined via the Heath-Carter Somatotype calculation form
was: 5.4-2.6-1.3. This somatotype ratio can be translated into a Meso-Endomorph
body type classification. This means I have predominance in digestive organs and
have a softer/ round body. I also have a relative predominance of muscle, bone
and connective tissue.
2. Compare your somatotype with the average female.
The average female has a somatotype of 4.5-3.5-2.5. My somatotype ratio
matches the somatotype rating of Meso-Endomorph. However, my physique is
slightly more endomorphic, and slightly less mesomorphic than the average
female. My ratio is 5.4-2.6-1.3. The average somatotype for females is attributed
to physical or physiological implications (genetic, training, or environmental).
Athletes with strength and power are more mesomorphic, while those who have
high endurance- such as long distance runners- are more ectomorphic (i.e. –
training implication). Another implication of somatotoype is age of maturation.
Early maturing females are more endomorphic; I experienced a slightly early
menarche and therefore PHV. This is a factor in explaining why I am mainly
endomorphic. I am not very ectomorphic- even less than the average female.
Ectomorphy signifies relative linearity: poor muscle development, predominance
of surface area over body mass, fragility and slenderness. I am active and know
that I do not have poor muscle development. I am also not a tiny girl. This further
illustrates that my somatotype is average compared to the female population in
terms of physique.
3. Compare your somatotype to the average male.
The average male has a somatotype of 3-4.5-3. They are Balanced
Mesomorphs. Females are generally more endomorphic and less mesomorphic
than males. I am a Meso-Endomorph: 5.4-2.6-1.3. During the pubertal growth
many changes occur. Females experience an accumulation of subcutaneous fat,
while males experience an accumulation in lean body mass. On average, females
and males share similar ectomorphic traits. In my case, I am less ectomorphic
.Ectomorphy tends to increase in females until peak growth and then decreases.
This was the case for me. In males, the trend is an increase in ectomorphy with
age through to adolescence and then a gradual decrease. Variables such as leg
length, muscle and lean mass development and subcutaneous fat distribution are
all very different for males versus females. The male’s main somatotype of
mesomorphy is a predominance of fat free mass and relative muscularity.
Female’s main physique classification (and mine as well) is endomorphic.