Anthropometric Concomitants of Physical Performance

Somatotype

William Sheldon

Photoscopic ratings based on listed criteria

Endomorphy – Mesomorphy – Ectomorphy

Ratings 1 to 7

3-4-3, 1-1-7, 2-6-2

Somatotype

Heath-Carter Anthropometric system:Endomorphy (the first component) refers to relative fatness in physique. Mesomorphy (the second component) refers to relative development of the musculo-skeletal system. Ectomorphy (the third component) refers to relative linearity of physique.Ratings 0.5 to >7

Predicting Performance,Size or Shape?

Olympic male javelin throwers and gymnasts Same somatotype, different size

MALES ENDO MESO ECTOCanadian University Males 2.8 4.9 2.8Professional Football      

Running Backs 2.0 6.0 2.0Lineman 4.0 7.0 1.0

Professional Hockey Players 2.7 6.0 2.0Nordic Skiers 2.0 4.5 3.0Olympic Athletes      

Sprinters 1.6 5.0 3.0400 m Runners 1.5 4.5 3.3800-1500 m Runners 1.5 4.2 3.65km & 10 km Runners 1.3 3.9 4.0High & Long Jumpers 1.8 5.1 2.6Shot, Discus, Hammer 3.5 7.1 1.0Javelin 2.0 5.6 2.3Cyclists 1.8 5.0 2.7Canoeists 1.5 5.2 3.1Basketball 2.0 4.3 3.5Volleyball 2.0 5.1 2.8Judo 2.0 6.4 1.3Fencers 2.8 4.2 2.9Field Hockey 2.6 4.7 2.7Swimmers 2.1 5.1 2.8Water Polo 2.9 5.3 2.3Rowers 2.3 5.0 2.7Weightlifters 2.4 7.7 0.8Wrestlers 2.4 6.7 1.5Boxers 1.7 5.1 2.7Gymnasts 1.4 5.8 2.5

FEMALES ENDO MESO ECTO

Canadian University Females 4.0 3.5 2.9

Nordic Skiers 3.5 4.3 2.3

Olympic Athletes      

Sprinters 2.2 3.6 3.2

Middle Distance Runners 2.0 3.3 3.5

High & Long Jumpers 2.4 2.7 4.3

Shot & Discus 5.3 5.2 1.7

Javelin 3.0 3.3 3.5

High & Long Jumpers 2.4 2.7 4.3

Shot & Discus 5.3 5.2 1.7

Javelin 3.6 3.7 3.1

Swimmers 3.2 3.8 3.0

Gymnasts 2.1 4.0 3.4

Canoeists 2.8 4.1 2.9

Rowers 3.1 3.9 2.8

Sport Specificity of Physique

Age, Height & Weight– Throwers and Distance Runners older than

Sprinters and Jumpers– Maximum muscle mass is not achieved until

about 23 or 24 years of age

Maturational differences– Maturation may enhance or detract from

performance Limbs become proportionally longer Strength to mass changes

Sport Specificity of Physique

Many sport or activity specific requirements or consequences of training are predictable– Overload principle

Muscle and bone respond dynamically to mechanical stress or lack of it

– Tennis player racquet arm larger muscle and bone width

– Genetic – height for basketball and high jumping– late maturing for female gymnasts

Weight TrainingGreater potential for hypertrophy in the upper body

Sprinters

Muscle Power – Large muscles– High % fast twitch

African-American, Caribbean dominance– Proportionally long limbs?– Narrow hips?

Marathoner

Low weight Small muscles

– No arm muscle– Calves well developed but not

large

Exceptional cardio-respiratory delivery and oxygen utilization systems

1904

2002

Cylist

Lower body dominant muscle development Size and requirements vary with event

– Track sprinters Often crossover of athletes with speed skating

– Tour de France

Rowers

Tall with proportionally long limbs Although musculature shows no particular pattern the

Humerus (elbow) width disproportionately large in relation to femur width in every rower measured at the 1976 Olympic Games

Swimmers

Fat athletes?– Cold water– None weight bearing

Physique requirements different for each event

Ian Thorpe multiple freestyle Olympic and World Champion had size 17 feet

Australian breaststroker disconsolate after hearing she is a fat athlete and that her taller freestyle team mate wants to use her as a chin rest

Gymnasts

Female gymnasts– Pre-pubertal– Small– Proportionally short limbs– High strength to mass ratio

Male gymnasts– Mature– Small– Proportionally short limbs– High strength to mass ratio

Ice SkatingRequirements:

Technical Skills – Quadruple Spin JumpsArtistry – Interpretation of the music

Elvis Stojko Emanuel Sandhu

Ice Hockey

Fast twitch fibres Lower body muscle development Maximum muscle mass reached at about 23 to 24

years of age Big 18 and 19 year olds brought into the NHL and

who are expected to hit and be hit invariably have lingering back injuries in their 20’s

Predicting Strength

Best indicator of muscle strength is cross-sectional area of muscle

X-sectional Area

Force

GGa

S Ga = G - (Π x S)

Assumes:•limb is perfectly circular with muscle as a perfect circle concentric to an annulus of subcutaneous adipose tissue•Depth of the annulus S is equal to the measured skinfold thickness

Where Ga = skinfold-adjusted girthG = measured girth (cm)S = skinfold thickness (cm)Π = 3.14

Max Grip Strength vs Skinfold adjusted Forearm GirthKin 303 Students

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0 21.0 22.0 23.0 24.0 25.0 26.0 27.0 28.0 29.0 30.0 31.0 32.0

Skinfold-adjusted Forearm Girth (cm)

Ma

xim

um

Gri

p S

tre

ng

th (

lbs

)

Male

Female

♂ r = +0.78

♀ r = +0.75

♂ + ♀ r = +0.91

Previous Kin 303 Project

Heel raises vs S.A. Calf Girth (r=0.95) in untrained university males– Good range in size– Highly standardized test– Small skill component– Motivation– Restricted Training Level

The more standardized the strength test the better the relationship with muscle size

Quantification of Performance

Are the units of measurement those of the quality supposedly being assessed?– Standing Broad Jump

Distance jumped – Power test– Flexed Arm Hang

Time hanging – Muscular endurance test– Maximal Oxygen Uptake

l/min or ml/kg/min – Maximum rate of oxygen use

Standing Broad Jump

Distance Jumped Muscular Power Body Weight Height of Centre of Gravity Angle of Take-Off Skill - Arm Swing Motivation

Flexed Arm Hang

Time that set position is maintained Muscular Endurance Unequal test

– People of different weights– Composition of weight may vary