Body Typing (Somatotypes)

Sheldon’s ‘Atlas of Men’ (1970)

Measurement of Muscle – size, strength, endurance Bone - length and girth Fat – percentage, distribution

Body Type

Endomorphic - centered on the abdomen, and the whole digestive system.

Mesomorphic - focused on the muscles and the circulatory system

Ectomorphic - related to the

brain and the nervous system

Sheldon Somatotyping

Each area measured on a 1 – 7 scale Type is decided by predominant

(highest to lowest numbers) Example –

Endo - 4 Ecto - 7 Meso - 1

A Ectomorph

Triad Body Type

Ectomorphic

thin flat chest delicate build young appearance tall lightly muscled stoop-shouldered large brain

self-conscious preference for

privacy introverted inhibited socially anxious artistic mentally intense emotionally

restrained

Endomorphic

soft body underdeveloped

muscles round shaped over-developed

digestive system

Endomorphic

love of food tolerant evenness of

emotions love of comfort sociable good humored relaxed need for affection

Implications for Activities?

Endomorph Light body weight Longer limbs Light on feet

Ectomorph Heavy body weight Low center gravity Heavy on feet

Mesomporph Solid body Power Nimble

Mesomorph

hard, muscular body

overly mature appearance

rectangular shaped thick skin upright posture

Mesomorph

adventurous desire for power and

dominance courageous indifference to what

others think or want assertive, bold zest for physical

activity competitive love of risk and chance

Mesomorph Character

Ectomorph Character

Implications

Endomorphic Heavy Low center of gravity Heavy feet

Mesomorphic Solid Power/ acceleration

Ectomorphic Long limbs Light on feet

Implications

Endomorphic

Mesomorphic

Ectomorphic