Somatotypes – what you should know Knowledge – Describe the different body types Understand – Explain and identify activities where different body types are an advantage Application – Exam Questions (Answer, Check, Answer again)

Somatotypes Different body types (sizes and shapes) can affect performance in different activities. Body type is also known as somatotype. The three extreme somatotypes are:

ENDOMORPHS A lot of body fat Wide hips and narrow shoulders

ECTOMORPHS Very little muscle or body fat Narrow hips and shoulders Thin legs and arms

MESOMORPHS Very little body fat A muscular body Broad shoulders and narrow hips

Somatotypes and Sport Throwing, Rugby (forward), Sumo Wrestling Sports Reason Throwing, Rugby (forward), Sumo Wrestling Grouped in sports that require power. Extra body fat means more body weight, which means the performer can get more momentum or force behind their actions Sprinting, Throwing, Rugby (backs) Involved in sports that require strength and power, particularly sudden bursts of energy Endurance, High Jumping Involved in sports that require endurance because less weight to carry means less energy used

In reality most performers are made up of a mixture of mesomorphic, endomorphic and ectomorphic characteristics. Throwers, for example, are predominantly muscular (mesomorphic) but do have a high fat rating (endomorhic) A high jumper is predominantly ectomorphic (tall and thin) but does have a high rating of muscle (mesomorphic)

Exam question (easy questions – 1 or 2 marks) Complete the statements below about different body types (a)_________tend to be very muscular (1) (b) Ectomorphs tend to be slim and________. They have a suitable body type for_________. (2) Mesomorph Tall High Jump

Exam question (more difficult 3 or 4 marks) Explain how one of the characteristics of an endomorph could be an advantage in the shot putt (4) An endomorph is a person with extra body fat. Extra body fat increases the body weight or mass of the thrower, which means the performer can get more momentum or force behind the throw. This means the shot putt can be thrown further.

Key Terms Somatotype: classification of body type Endomorph: an individual with wide hips and narrow shoulders, characterised by fatness Mesomorph: an individual with wide shoulders and narrow hips, characterised by muscularity Ectomorph: an individual with narrow shoulders and narrow hips, characterised by thinness