FACTORS AFFECTING FACTORS AFFECTING FITNESSFITNESS

PHYSICAL DIFFERENCESPHYSICAL DIFFERENCES

BODY TYPES - SOMATOTYPESBODY TYPES - SOMATOTYPES

ECTOMORPHECTOMORPH

ENDOMORPHENDOMORPH

MESOMORPHMESOMORPH

Tall and thinTall and thin

Round!Round!

Muscular / athleticMuscular / athletic

EctomorphEctomorph

Slightly built, Slightly built, narrow hips and narrow hips and shoulders, long shoulders, long limbs, tall.limbs, tall.

EndomorphEndomorph

Narrow shoulders, Narrow shoulders, broad hips, carry broad hips, carry weight on waist, weight on waist, hips and thighships and thighs

MesomorphMesomorph

Broad shoulders, Broad shoulders, narrow hips, narrow hips, muscularmuscular

Very few people are pure ecto, endo Very few people are pure ecto, endo or meso morphs. We are usually a bit or meso morphs. We are usually a bit more of one or two types than of the more of one or two types than of the other.other.

We can give a score out of 7 for each We can give a score out of 7 for each one (in the order endo/meso/ecto), one (in the order endo/meso/ecto), so someone who was fairly tall and so someone who was fairly tall and athletic might have a score of 1/7/4athletic might have a score of 1/7/4

Are somatotypes a positive factor in Are somatotypes a positive factor in success in certain sports?success in certain sports?

EndomorphEndomorph

MesomorphMesomorph

EctomorphEctomorph

Sumo wrestlerSumo wrestler

100m sprinter100m sprinter

High jumperHigh jumper

HeightHeightClearly an Clearly an advantage in some advantage in some gamesgames

But a disadvantage But a disadvantage in othersin others

WeightWeightAlso clearly an Also clearly an advantage in some advantage in some sportssports

But not in othersBut not in others

Weight and healthWeight and healthBeing overweight can lead to health Being overweight can lead to health problems:problems:Heart attacksHeart attacksStrokesStrokesHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressure

We can use weight/height guidelines, We can use weight/height guidelines, but percentage body fat is more reliable but percentage body fat is more reliable (no more than 20% of bodyweight for (no more than 20% of bodyweight for men)men)

AgeAgeMuscles lose capacity for Muscles lose capacity for endurance and strengthendurance and strength

We lose flexibilityWe lose flexibility

Bones become more Bones become more brittlebrittle

Reaction speed and limb Reaction speed and limb speed also reducespeed also reduce

But, all of these effects But, all of these effects can be reduced/slowed can be reduced/slowed by continuing to take by continuing to take part in physical activity.part in physical activity.

GenderGenderMenMen

Naturally more Naturally more muscular (strength, muscular (strength, explosive power, explosive power, speed)speed)

WomenWomenOn average 30% On average 30% greater fat content greater fat content (helps muscular (helps muscular endurance)endurance)

Social attitudes Social attitudes more important more important influence on influence on participation than participation than physical differencesphysical differences

DisabilityDisabilityModern technology Modern technology now makes now makes participation more participation more possiblepossible

Athletes with Athletes with disabilities can disabilities can train and perform train and perform to a very high to a very high standardstandard