Similar Body Types Research Articles

Somatotypes of East-Zone Indian Inter-University Kho-Kho Players

Background. Somatotyping in modern sports can be an important factor to be considered. Different studies have already taken the initial step to identify the sport-specific somatotypes for different games and sports. In contrast with the Kho-Kho game, some attempts have been made to identify somatotypes specific for these games. But there are only few studies that have been conducted, and various areas are still waiting to be explored. Study purpose. The present study aimed to identify the specific somatotypes of the kho-kho players. Additionally, this study also made an attempt to explore the important somatic traits that influence the somatotypes of the Kho-Kho players. Materials and methods. A total number of 74 players from six Kho-Kho teams that participated in East Zone Inter-University Tournament were purposively selected for the study. The anthropometric data collection was done according to the standard procedures given by ISAK (International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry). The statistical analysis was done by using MS Excel (2021) and SPSS’23. Results. The results of the study showed that most of the Kho-Kho players (90.6%) were possessing ectomorphic and mesomorphic dominant traits. There was also a significant difference found in ectomorphic and mesomorphic traits among the players possessing mesomorphic-ectomorph (p<0.05), ectomorphic-mesomorph (p<0.05) and ectomorph-mesomorph (p<0.05) somatotypes. Furthermore, the discriminant analysis also highlighted that attributes of ectomorphic traits (Discriminant coefficient = 1.168) and mesomorphic traits (Discriminant coefficient = 0.812) were important somatic traits for the Kho-Kho players. Overall, 88.6% of the original cases have been correctly represented by the discriminant analysis. Conclusions. The present study showed that Kho-Kho players for the most part possess the ectomorphic and mesomorphic dominant somatotypes. Furthermore, based on the study results, it can be also concluded that somatic attributes in the similar body types also play important role to determine players’ performance level.

A fuzzy logic apparel size decision methodology for online marketing

Purpose Beside the development of technology and accessibility, ease of use, ability to reach various products and compare many products at the same time make online shopping even more popular. Despite the great advantages provided by online shopping for either consumers or retailers, there are certain issues that must be solved to improve online shopping advantages. Finding right size is one of the biggest barriers against apparel online retailing. Since the use of apparels is directly related with fitting, choosing right size is becoming more critical for retailers and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the solution of the problem. Design/methodology/approach For the study, the specific size measurements of male shirts (collar, shoulder, chest, waist, arm length in cm) from four different sizes (small, medium, large, x-large) and from eight different brands were collected and stored in a database. Totally, weight, height and body measurements (collar, shoulder, chest, waist and arm length in cm) of 80 male candidates, between the ages of 18 and 35, were measured individually. These data were then used for experiments. Findings Any product with known measurements can be compared with users’ body measurement based on fuzzy logic rule and the best-fitted size can be selected for users. Similarly, using the proposed web design, users are able to see desired products on users with similar body type. Originality/value In this study, a new mathematical method based on fuzzy relations for apparel size finder is proposed. Beside, this method can group users based on body measurements in order to find people with similar size.

Dynamic skin deformation simulation using musculoskeletal model and soft tissue dynamics

Deformation of skin and muscle is essential for bringing an animated character to life. This deformation is difficult to animate in a realistic fashion using traditional techniques because of the subtlety of the skin deformations that must move appropriately for the character design. In this paper, we present an algorithm that generates natural, dynamic, and detailed skin deformation (movement and jiggle) from joint angle data sequences. The algorithm has two steps: identification of parameters for a quasi-static muscle deformation model, and simulation of skin deformation. In the identification step, we identify the model parameters using a musculoskeletal model and a short sequence of skin deformation data captured via a dense marker set. The simulation step first uses the quasi-static muscle deformation model to obtain the quasi-static muscle shape at each frame of the given motion sequence (slow jump). Dynamic skin deformation is then computed by simulating the passive muscle and soft tissue dynamics modeled as a mass–spring–damper system. Having obtained the model parameters, we can simulate dynamic skin deformations for subjects with similar body types from new motion data. We demonstrate our method by creating skin deformations for muscle co-contraction and external impacts from four different behaviors captured as skeletal motion capture data. Experimental results show that the simulated skin deformations are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to measured actual skin deformations.

Development of individualized pattern prototype based on classification of body features

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to concentrate on the development of individualized prototype of apparel patterns for young females from 3D body scanning data. Design/methodology/approach – The authors presented a new pattern-making approach that is composed of three major steps: to establish the relationships between body features and corresponding elements in a prototype (e.g. curve or a point); to classify the relationship into grades that provide alternatives to fit a variety of bodies; and to assemble each individual element into a personalized prototype. Findings – The experiment demonstrated that this method could be used for customized prototype development from 3D body scanning in a relatively easy way. Research limitations/implications – Currently, the subjects of this study included only Chinese young females, and the regression models were just suitable for the similar body types though, the research method could be extended to other somatotypes and age groups. Social implications – This approach can be used in the field of made-to-measure, mass customization, and the quick response for apparel pattern making. The technology in this paper facilitates to generate an individualized pattern prototype from 3D body scanning data. Originality/value – Originated from the relationship between the features of a human body and the elements of a pattern prototype, the authors presented a new approach to develop an individualized pattern prototype by classifying the features into grades.

Understanding the Social Networks That Form within the Context of an Obesity Prevention Intervention.

Background. Antiobesity interventions have generally failed. Research now suggests that interventions must be informed by an understanding of the social environment. Objective. To examine if new social networks form between families participating in a group-level pediatric obesity prevention trial. Methods. Latino parent-preschool child dyads (N = 79) completed the 3-month trial. The intervention met weekly in consistent groups to practice healthy lifestyles. The control met monthly in inconsistent groups to learn about school readiness. UCINET and SIENA were used to examine network dynamics. Results. Children's mean age was 4.2 years (SD = 0.9), and 44% were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 85th percentile). Parents were predominantly mothers (97%), with a mean age of 31.4 years (SD = 5.4), and 81% were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25). Over the study, a new social network evolved among participating families. Parents selectively formed friendship ties based on child BMI z-score, (t = 2.08; P < .05). This reveals the tendency for mothers to form new friendships with mothers whose children have similar body types. Discussion. Participating in a group-level intervention resulted in new social network formation. New ties were greatest with mothers who had children of similar body types. This finding might contribute to the known inability of parents to recognize child overweight.

When are people interchangeable sexual objects? The effect of gender and body type on sexual fungibility

The purpose of this research was to empirically examine the fungibility hypothesis derived from sexual objectification theory. Sexual objectification theorists have suggested that like objects, people, typically women, may be fungible or interchangeable with similar others. Despite its provocative nature and potential adverse psychological consequences, the fungibility hypothesis has yet to be empirically examined. We suggested that women, regardless of body types, but also men with body types that resemble the cultural ideal of attractiveness (e.g., large arms and chests and narrow waists), would be more fungible than men with body types that resemble the cultural average. Participants (n = 66) saw images of average and ideal women and men once before they completed a surprise matching task requiring that they match the bodies and faces that appeared together in the original images. Consistent with hypotheses, we found that women with ideal bodies, women with average bodies, and men with ideal bodies were more fungible (perceivers made more body-face pairing errors) than men with average bodies. Furthermore, it appears that when people are fungible they are interchangeable with people with similar body types. Implications and directions for future research on objectification and fungibility are discussed.

Measurement Of Body Composition And Athletic Performance During NCAA-Division I Womenʼs Volleyball And Softball Seasons

PURPOSE: The current study was designed to assess the relationship between body composition and performance testing in NCAA-Division I volleyball and softball athletes. METHODS: Subjects consisted of female volleyball (VB, n=16) and softball (SB, n=18) athletes. Body composition utilizing air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod) and performance testing [vertical jump (VJ), hang clean (HC), bench press (BP), front squat (FS), pro agility (PRO: SB only), t-test (TT: VB only), and 300 yd shuttle run (SR)] were measured following completion of a 4 month off-season training program. Data were analyzed by correlating body fat with performance testing results. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were computed for each group individually, to determine if there was a relationship between body composition and performance variables. RESULTS: VB athletes A positive correlation (p ≤ .05, r=0.45) was found between SR times and body composition. Therefore, the higher the body fat percentage, the slower the SR time. SB athletes A negative correlation (p ≤ .05, r= - 0.45) was found between body composition and VJ. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (p ≤ .01, r=0.79) was found between body composition and PRO run times. A positive correlation (p ≤ 0.01, r=0.72) was found between body composition and SR times. BP, FS and HC were not significantly related to body composition for either VB or SB groups. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship was found between body composition and certain performance tests for both SB and VB groups. However, the strength of the relationship between variables in the VB group was not as strong as that observed with the SB group. VB is a sport requiring players to execute similar skills while utilizing quick, reactive multidirectional, movements in a relatively small court. VB athletes tend to have similar body types. Ugarkovic (10) concluded body composition is a weak predictor of performance in sports with athletes of relatively homogeneous body types. Significant relationships were found in the SB group between body composition and the PRO, VJ and SR tests. Unlike the sport of VB, the demands of SB (and baseball) differ by position, resulting in more heterogeneous body types (1). For example, outfielders are likely to require greater speed than pitchers or catchers in order to move to the ball and catch it out of the air. In-fielders require better agility and faster reaction time. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The leaner SB players performed better on the running and agility tests. Therefore, body composition data may be utilized by coaches to determine the most appropriate positional roles for their athletes. Future research that addresses the relationship between body composition and injury may provide a broader understanding of the importance of implementing proper nutrition, strength training, and conditioning programs prior to and during competitive athletic seasons.

Acoustic species identification: When biology collides with physics

Acoustic species identification remains a long‐term goal of fishers, researchers, and resource managers that use sound to locate, map, and count aquatic organisms. Interpreting acoustic data from aquatic organisms requires an understanding of how pressure waves interact with biological targets to produce single or multiple echoes. Intensity and variability of backscattered energy is influenced by physical factors associated with energy propagation through a dense medium, and biological factors including the morphology, ontogeny, physiology, and behavior of targets. Efforts to quantify relative magnitudes and importance of biological factors have resulted in an approach that integrates field and laboratory measurements, numeric backscatter models, and computer visualizations. Acoustic visualizations are used to incorporate representations of the acoustic beam; the shape and composition of targets; target orientation (tilt, yaw, roll) and behavior (individuals and aggregations); and the resulting frequency‐dependent backscatter. Exclusive use of acoustics to identify aquatic organisms requires metrics that discriminate among species with similar body types and implementing these metrics in routine data processing. Increased frequency bandwidth and angle‐dependent backscatter measurements increase the information content of acoustic data to help achieve this goal. [Work supported by ONR and NOAA Fisheries.]

Acoustic approaches to remote species identification: a review

Noninvasive species identification remains a long‐term goal of fishers, researchers, and resource managers who use sound to locate, map, and count aquatic organisms. Since the first biological applications of underwater acoustics, four approaches have been used singly or in combination to survey marine and freshwater environments: passive sonar; prior knowledge and direct sampling; echo statistics from high‐frequency measures; and matching models to low‐frequency measures. Echo amplitudes or targets measured using any sonar equipment are variable signals. Variability in reflected sound is influenced by physical factors associated with the transmission of sound through a compressible fluid, and by biological factors associated with the location, reflective properties, and behaviour of a target. The current trend in acoustic target identification is to increase the amount of information collected through increases in frequency bandwidth or in the number of acoustic beams. Exclusive use of acoustics to identify aquatic organisms reliably will require a set of statistical metrics that discriminate among a wide range of similar body types at any packing density, and incorporation of these algorithms in routine data processing.

Maternal influences on growth and development of full-sibling foals2

Six pairs of full-sibling Quarter Horse foals were produced by non-surgical embryo transfer and immediate rebreeding of donor mares. Each pair of donor/recipient mares consisted of one multiparous (donor) and one nulliparous (recipient) mare of similar body type and size. Milk yield was determined within 2 d of 8, 15, 22, 29 d (early lactation); 45, 60 d (midlactation); and 90, 120 d (late lactation) postpartum by the weigh-suckle-weigh method. On the following day, milk samples were collected, and foals were weighed and measured for wither height, heart girth, metacarpal length, metatarsal length, carpus height, tarsus height, and hip height. Mean gestation length was longer (P < .05) in nulliparous mares than multiparous mares (343 vs 333 d). Daily milk production was greater (P < .05) during early lactation (12.1 vs 10.8 kg) and tended to be greater (P = .08) during midlactation (11.7 vs 10.4) in multiparous mares but was similar between groups in late lactation. Milk composition was similar between groups throughout lactation. Foals produced by multiparous mares weighed more (P < .03) throughout early lactation (70.4 vs 63.1 kg), but no differences in weights occurred between foals from multiparous and nulliparous mares through mid- and late lactation. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was similar between foal groups through early and midlactation. During late lactation, ADG tended to be greater (P = .07) in foals from nulliparous mares (1.05 vs .92 kg/d). These data suggest that nulliparous and multiparous mares of the same breed and similar body type and size produce foals with no differences in size and weight by 4 mo of age.

The Age Changes in Body Proportion of the Japanese

The author extracted 3, 200 samples (100 males and 100 females for every age group from 5 to 20 years) from the material of measurements obtained by the Japanese Body-build Investigation (measured in 1966 and 1967), and calculated seven indices to clarify the age changes in body proportion of the Japanese.The main results are as follows:1) The mean values of seven indices are given in Table 1 and the mean curves of age changes are shown in Fig. 1. The curves are classified into the following three types: the increasing type (total posterior arm length/stature, waist girth/bust girth), the decreasing type (foot length/stature, head girth/bust girth), and the increasing-decreasing type (waist height/stature, lower extremity length/stature, hip girth/bust girth).2) Body proportion changes gradually from infant to adult body type indicating different phases in each sex. Similar body types were found in some adjacent age groups to be able to bring together. Analyzing the data in Table 2, Fig. 2-1, and Fig. 2-2, the author obtained the stages of growth based on body proportion which is shown in Table 3.