Somatotype Changes Research Articles

English

Objective: To evaluate the morphological changes of Cuban super heavyweight boxers, more and less successful, through the period 1976-2014. Material and method: Thirty super heavy boxers, who were members of the Cuban national teams in the period 1976-2014, were compared; The strategy consisted of separating the group in the periods 1976-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009 and 2010-2014. Sixteen anthropometric dimensions were recorded (weight, height, sitting height, six skinfold thickness, five girths and two breadths), from which the body composition and the somatotype were obtained. The data were analyzed applying the Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The conglomerate analysis based on the Euclidean distance was used in order to evaluate the correspondence between physical development and sports performance. A discriminant analysis was carried out in order to analyze the contribution of the anthropometrical variables to the variance of different clusters. Results: Most of the anthropometric dimensions and indicators showed significant differences, having an impact on the increase in adiposity, body fat and endomorphy (p <0.05), as well as the decrease in the indicators dependent on height (p <0.05). The analysis by conglomerates, as well as the study of the Migratory Distances of the somatotype, showed that the Olympic medalist boxers differed in terms of the characteristics of body composition and in terms of the intensity of the somatotype changes in the period 1976-2014. Conclusions: The Cuban boxer of the super heavyweight category showed a wide range of morphological demands, but these were framed within the international trends of professional boxers. The morphological attributes of the Olympic medalists differed from each other, and from the rest of the boxers investigated over time. These results provide anthropometric data of high scientific value, both for selection and for medical control of training.

Anthropometric Dimensions and Bone Quality in International Male Beach Handball Players: Junior vs. Senior Comparison.

Background: Beach handball is a recent team sport characterized by defensive and offensive actions on a sand surface. Scientific evidence has shown that body composition is fundamental in sports performance. The main objective of this study was to know the body composition, anthropometric characteristics, and bone mineral density of elite beach handball players. Furthermore, another purpose was to analyze the differences between categories (junior and senior) and playing position. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 36 male players (18 juniors and 18 seniors) of the Spanish National Beach Handball Team was conducted. Full profile anthropometry and calcaneal ultrasound measurements were used. Results: Significant differences between categories (p < 0.05) were found in: height, body mass, arm span, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mass, skinfolds, and body perimeters. The somatotype changes depending on the playing position. Bone mineral density of the players was adequate. No significant differences were found by playing position. Conclusions: Senior players had a better body composition due to the presence of less fat mass than junior players. This study provides reference values of elite junior and senior beach handball players and by playing positions. This data is useful for the identification of talents and players who should be trained to improve their body composition.

Somatotypes trajectories during adulthood and their association with COPD phenotypes.

RationaleChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises distinct phenotypes, all characterised by airflow limitation.ObjectivesWe hypothesised that somatotype changes – as a surrogate of adiposity – from early adulthood follow different trajectories to reach distinct phenotypes.MethodsUsing the validated Stunkard's Pictogram, 356 COPD patients chose the somatotype that best reflects their current body build and those at ages 18, 30, 40 and 50 years. An unbiased group-based trajectory modelling was used to determine somatotype trajectories. We then compared the current COPD-related clinical and phenotypic characteristics of subjects belonging to each trajectory.Measurements and main resultsAt 18 years of age, 88% of the participants described having a lean or medium somatotype (estimated body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 23 kg·m−2) while the other 12% a heavier somatotype (estimated BMI between 25 and 27 kg·m−2). From age 18 onwards, five distinct trajectories were observed. Four of them demonstrating a continuous increase in adiposity throughout adulthood with the exception of one, where the initial increase was followed by loss of adiposity after age 40. Patients with this trajectory were primarily females with low BMI and DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). A persistently lean trajectory was seen in 14% of the cohort. This group had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), DLCO, more emphysema and a worse BODE (BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise capacity) score thus resembling the multiple organ loss of tissue (MOLT) phenotype.ConclusionsCOPD patients have distinct somatotype trajectories throughout adulthood. Those with the MOLT phenotype maintain a lean trajectory throughout life. Smoking subjects with this lean phenotype in early adulthood deserve particular attention as they seem to develop more severe COPD.

SOMATOTYPING IN COLLEGE TRACK &amp; FIELD ATHLETES: EVALUATING CHANGE ACROSS A COMPETITIVE SEASON

Coaches may find value in following track and field athletes’ anthropometrics as the extended competitive season requires a unique balance of peak and maintained preparation. Somatotyping may offer a more holistic metric compared with BMI, mass, or body fat percentage alone when tracking changes across competition mesocycles. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to record track and field athletes’ somatotype scores to elucidate potential changes across the competitive season according to sex and/or age. METHODS: Division II track and field athletes (n=47) were tested at the start and end of the outdoor season. Somatotype data were collected according to the Heath-Carter manual (skinfolds, girths, breadths, stature & mass). Raw data were converted to mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph scores. One-way RM ANOVAs with between subject variables (sex & age) were used to evaluate change in endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy scores across the season. RESULTS: Scores for endomorphy (F(1,45)=117.9, p<.001, np2=0.72, males (M)= +3.2%, females (F)= -0.1%) and mesomorphy (F(1,45)=10.1, p=.003, np2=0.18, M= -3.4%, F= +4.6%) differed across time by sex, but not ectomorphy (F(1,52)=0.03, p=.86, np2=0.01, M= -6.2%, F= -6.3%). Age did not influence somatotype scores across the season. CONCLUSIONS: The rigors of a competitive season may influence only certain sex-somatotype combinations. Influencing factors for the divergent changes in somatotype presently found should be identified to optimize training approaches.

Carpathian Basin climate according to K\xf6ppen and a clothing resistance scheme

The Carpathian Basin climate in the time period 1971–2000 is analyzed in terms of the results obtained by the Köppen method and a clothing resistance scheme. A clothing resistance scheme is based on human body energy balance considerations taking into account human interperson variations as simply as possible. Interperson variations are considered by estimating human body somatotypes using the Heath-Carter somatotype classification method. Non-sweating, walking humans in outdoor conditions are treated. Environmental and human data are taken from the CarpatClim dataset and a Hungarian human dataset, respectively. Though the biophysical bases of the methods are completely different, the spatial structure of thermal climates expressed in terms of Köppen climate types and the clothing resistance parameter rcl are basically similar. A clothing resistance scheme creates more information than the Köppen method not only in mountain, plateau areas but also in lowlands. It is shown that more human thermal climate categories can refer to one Köppen climate formula irrespective of which Köppen formulae are considered. The magnitude and area heterogeneity of rcl is strongly sensitive to human somatotype changes. A clothing resistance scheme cannot be used in classroom applications; it needs to be drastically simplified while maintaining its sensitivity to somatotype changes in order to be competitive with the Köppen method.

A Study on the Somatotype Characteristics of Adolescent Girls between the Ages of 13 and 18

This study analyzes the characteristics of somatotype changes of girls from the ages of 13 to 18 that provide basic data on clothing construction for middle and high school girls. We use data obtained from body measurements of 1,590 adolescent girls 13 to 18 years of age provided in the 6th national anthropometric survey report. The differences among the age groups for 56 direct measurements were analyzed by ANOVA, and the structures of the differences by SNK (Students-Newman-Keuls test) were analyzed. The two major growth ages were ‘ages 13-14’ and ‘ages 15-16’. The first major growth ages focused on all measurement items of height, length, circumference, breadth, depth and other items. The second one focused on measurement items of height and length of torso, circumference, and breadth of lower body. The major growth pattern of the age groups was ‘ages 13<14&15<16&17&18’ which appeared focused on the height and length items of upper body and torso, the width items of lower body and the circumference items of upper body and lower body. The measurement items of front length like waist front length, N.P. to B.P to waistline, N.P. to B.P., and B.P. to B.P. showed the growth pattern for ‘ages 13<14<15<16<17&18’.

Changes in body build of awf students 1967–2008. Can a secular trend be observed?

PurposePrevious research on intergenerational changes in body build has focused on body height and mass. The aim of this study was to determine both the direction and sexual dimorphism of secular changes in body build by using a sample population of students attending the University School of Physical Education (AWF) in Wrocław, Poland.MethodsThe anthropometric data used in this study were collected every year from 1967 to 2008 and included a sample size of 4688 males and 3922 females. The subjects were analyzed for changes in somatotype by use of Sheldon’s method, as modified by Heath and Carter. Basic statistical analysis for significance and post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data with Statistica 9.0 software. The data were then converted in Excel 2003 into chart form to analyze the direction of changes.ResultsAnalysis of the successive classes of male and female subjects during the 40-year period under study revealed a number of different directional changes in the mean values of body height, mass and the level of body build components. Trend lines, calculated by the mean values of five-year intervals, indicated an increasing tendency in both body height and mass in the two genders. Mesomorphy was found to be the largest factor of body build composition of females and males. Throughout the entire analyzed period, the endomorphy of males was significantly lower in comparison to females. In women, the level of fatness was similar to their level of musculature, but during the last several years the observed level of muscle in the students exceeded their fatness level. Ectomorphy happened to be the most stable component of both sexes.ConclusionsAnalysis on the male and female sample population revealed a constant increase in body mass and height in successive generations. In female subjects, intergenerational changes were found to be characterized by a decrease in endomorphy and an increase in ectomorphy, while the level of mesomorphy remained at a similar level. In men, a secular trend was visible with an increase in mesomorphy, while the levels of endomorphy and ectomorphy stayed constant.

20대 전반 여성의 자세 및 기성복 맞음새 조사 연구

Although they generally undergo less change in somatotype than other age groups, women in their early twenties have postural changes incurred with their inappropriate postures during the growth period. Since such somatotype changes reduce their satisfaction in the fitting of ready-made clothing, the study intends to examine the inadequate postures and life habits of women in their twenties and to analyze their self-recognition and actual conditions of the bad fit of ready-made clothes. A survey questionnaire was conducted on 225 customers and 29 sellers of ready-made clothes. According to the result, it was found that their inappropriate postures had made their back and shoulders undesirably bent and led to their low satisfaction in the fitting of ready-made clothes. Therefore, it is necessary to perform researches for developing renovated design in consideration of their somatotype changes.

Biology of the Tribal Groups of Rajasthan, India: 4. Age Changes in Somatotype

The present study is based on a cross-sectional investigation on 2928 samples consisting of 1503 males and 1425 females belonging to both adolescent (8 + to 18 + ) and adult age groups (19 & above). The study was carried out on the Scheduled Tribes, namely Mina, Bhil, Sahariya, Garasia, Damor and Kathodi of Rajasthan. Samples are collected from the place of residence and schools. The data for somatotype were collected following the internationally accepted standards. The calculated somatotypes are plotted on somatochart triangle to determine their physique. Study of body physique reveals that in all the tribal groups ectomorphic component is dominant, which indicates their linear physique. This is also reflective of their overall poor conditions and undernutrition prevailing in the area. Both males and females of Bhils show least endomorphy rating i.e. lowest relative fatness and highest ectomorphy rating indicating linear physique than the other tribal groups. Distribution of somatotypes on somatochart indicates that values plotted, in all the age groups, lie in mesomorphic ectomorph or endomorphic ectomorph region, thus showing a greater linearity among the tribal groups.

Biology of the Tribal Groups of Rajasthan, India: 2. Physical Growth and Anthropometric Somatotypes

In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate adolescent physical growth and anthropometric somatotypes of the tribal groups of Rajasthan. Cross-sectional data on 2928 samples belonging to adolescent (8 + to 18 + ) and adult (19 & above) age groups were collected during the year 1999-2001 for various anthropometric measurements, which included height, weight, diameters, skinfolds and circumferences. The data were collected following the standard mathods and somatotypes were obtained from body measurements. The tribal groups studied experience reduced body weight and stature, low body mass, associated with reduced bone mass, thus resulting in greater risk. Both Bhil males and females show the least development in terms of stature, body weight, subcutaneous fat deposition and bone widths than the other tribal groups. Review of somatotype changes indicate that in all the population groups, ectomorphic component dominates with few changes from ectomorphy to mesomorphy, thus reflecting their linear physiques.

Somatotype Changes in Adolescence Among Mentally Retarded Athletes

The present study aims to evaluate age changes in somatotypes of 95 mentally retarded adolescent athletes (51 boys and 44 girls) ranging in age from 11 to 15 years and had participated in Special Olympics National Games, 1998. The cross-sectional sample includes only those individuals, who had been diagnosed as mentally retarded with unknown aetiology for their low intelligence. Each individual was somatotyped by the Heath-Carter Anthropometric Method. Average somatotype of male and female sample positions itself on the balanced ectomorph (2.90-2.453.74) and endomorph-ectomorph (3.37-2.77-3.33) sectors respectively. Sexual dimorphism clearly indicates that males are more ectomorphic and less endomorphic than their female counterparts and fail to show a change in component dominance during adolescence. Fig. 1. Mean somatotype of mentally retarded athletes (11 to 15 years) SOMATO CHART

Age differences in somatotypes of Garhwali males 17-60 years of age.

Changes in somatotype with age were investigated in a cross-sectional sample of 400 Garhwali men from northwest India. The subjects, 17-60 years of age, were somatotyped with the Heath-Carter anthropometric protocol. The overall mean somatotype was 3.0-3.7-3.1. A one-way MANOVA indicated significant differences among the nine age groups. Pairwise comparisons using Hotelling's T2 showed significant differences between men up to 29 years and those over 30 years. Garhwali men 30+ years of age were more endomorphic and less ectomorphic than younger men. The mean somatotype for men 30+ years was 3.3-3.9-2.7 and for men <30 years was 2.8-3.3-3.9. Endomorphy and mesomorphy increased with age with a reciprocal decrease in ectomorphy up to 55 years; the trend was somewhat reversed thereafter. The somatotype categories mesomorphic ectomorph and mesomorph-ectomorph included the greatest proportion of Garhwali men <30 years; maximum percentages of men 30+ years belonged to the mesomorph-endomorph, endomorphic mesomorph and mesomorphic endomorph categories. Garhwali men were more ectomorphic and less endomorphic and mesomorphic than Canadians. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:285-290, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Changes in somatotype during growth in Chinese youth 7–18 years of age

Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotypes were calculated for 7,710 Chinese youths (4,434 boys and 3,276 girls), 7-18 years of age in the context of sex and age differences in distributions during adolescence. Age-specific trends are characterized by a consistent increase in endomorphy in girls and generally stable mesomorphy in boys. Somatotypes are consistently dominant in mesomorphy in boys and in endomorphy in girls across all ages. Somatotype distributions in the 13 somatotype categories of Heath-Carter somatochart appear to be broader in girls than in boys, and is more influenced by age in girls than in boys. Comparisons with other Asian samples and with Canadian youth suggest racial/ethnic variation in somatotype. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Reuleaux triangle somatocharts

The three-numeral somatotype index to quantitatively represent human body type has gained general acceptance since being proposed in 1940. The two-dimensional Reuleaux triangle somatochart has been a customary format for graphically representing three-dimensional somatotype data. This paper presents the traditional, quick plot somatochart, the rationale for development of the Heath-Carter 1980 somatochart with scaled axes and, based on that rationale, a proposal for a somatochart utilizing a traditional x, y-coordinate axis system. Two completed somatocharts are presented; one showing mean somatotypes of collegiate rugby, football and soccer players, and another depicting phenotypic changes in somatotype after diet and exercise.

Somatotype Changes During Adolescence in Gujjars and Tibetans of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Somatotype Changes During Adolescence in Gujjars and Tibetans of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Somatotype Changes in Adolescence Among Dogras of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Somatotype Changes in Adolescence Among Dogras of Jammu and Kashmir, India