Body typing

1. Body Typing
(Somatotypes)
 Sheldon’s
 ‘Atlas of Men’ (1970)
 Measurement of
 Muscle – size, strength, endurance
 Bone - length and girth
 Fat – percentage, distribution

2. 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

3. 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

4. Triad Body Type

5. Ectomorphic
 thin
 flat chest
 delicate build
 young appearance
 tall
 lightly muscled
 stoop-shouldered
 large brain

6.  self-conscious
 preference for
privacy
 introverted
 inhibited
 socially anxious
 artistic
 mentally intense
 emotionally
restrained

7. Endomorphic
 soft body
 underdeveloped
muscles
 round shaped
 over-developed
digestive system

8. Endomorphic
 love of food
 tolerant
 evenness of
emotions
 love of comfort
 sociable
 good humored
 relaxed
 need for affection

9. 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

10. Mesomorph
 hard, muscular
body
 overly mature
appearance
 rectangular shaped
 thick skin
 upright posture

11. 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

13. Mesomorph Character

14. Ectomorph Character

15. Implications
 Endomorphic
 Heavy
 Low center of gravity
 Heavy feet
 Mesomorphic
 Solid
 Power/ acceleration
 Ectomorphic
 Long limbs
 Light on feet

16. Implications
 Endomorphic
 Mesomorphic
 Ectomorphic