SOMATOTYPE

The somatotype is defined as the quantification of the present shape and composition of the human body. It is expressed in a three-number rating representing endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy components respectively, always in the same order. Endomorphy is the relative fatness, mesomorphy is the relative musculo-skeletal robustness, and ectomorphy is the relative linearity or slenderness of a physique. For example, a 3-5-2 rating is recorded in this manner and is read as three, five, two. These numbers give the magnitude of each of the three components. Ratings on each component of ½ to 2½ are considered low, 3 to 5 are moderate, 5½ to 7 are high, and 7½ and above are very high (Carter & Heath, 1990). The rating is phenotypical, based on the concept of geometrical size-dissociation and applicable to both genders from childhood to old age (Carter, 2002).

The technique of somatotyping is used to appraise body shape and composition. This allows to make comparisons between different demographics of people.

Before taking the test, you will need a body mass scale, stadiometer, body fat caliper, measuring tape, and breadth caliper.

Note: the validity of the rating depends on the reliability of the measurements used. If you want accurate results, then stature and girths should read to the nearest mm, biepicondylar diameters to the nearest 0.5 mm, and skinfolds to the nearest 0.1 mm (Harpenden caliper) or 0.5 mm on other calipers. Take 3 attempts for each measurement.

• Stature. Taken against a height scale or stadiometer. Take height with the subject standing straight, against an upright wall or stadiometer, touching the wall with heels, buttocks and back. Orient the head in the Frankfort plane (the upper border of the ear opening and the lower border of the eye socket on a horizontal line), and the heels together. Instruct the subject to stretch upward and to take and hold a full breath. Lower the headboard until it firmly touches the vertex.
• Bodyweight. The subject, wearing minimal clothing, stands in the center of the scale platform. Record weight to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. A correction is made for clothing so that nude weight is used in subsequent calculations.
• Skinfolds. Raise a fold of skin and subcutaneous tissue firmly between thumb and forefinger of the left hand and away from the underlying muscle at the marked site. Apply the edge of the plates on the caliper branches 1 cm below the fingers of the left hand and allow them to exert their full pressure before reading at 2 sec the thickness of the fold. Take all skinfolds on the right side of the body. The subject stands relaxed, except for the calf skinfold, which is taken with the subject seated.
  • Triceps skinfold. With the subject's arm hanging loosely in the anatomical position, raise a fold at the back of the arm at a level halfway on a line connecting the acromion and the olecranon processes.
  • Supraspinale skinfold. Raise the fold 5-7 cm (depending on the size of the subject) above the anterior superior iliac spine on a line to the anterior axillary border and on a diagonal line going downwards and medially at 45 degrees. (This skinfold was formerly called suprailiac, or anterior suprailiac. The name has been changed to distinguish it from other skinfolds called "suprailiac", but taken at different locations.)
  • Medial calf skinfold. Raise a vertical skinfold on the medial side of the leg, at the level of the maximum girth of the calf.
• Bone breadth measurments.
  • Biepicondylar breadth of the humerus, right. The width between the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus, with the shoulder and elbow flexed to 90 degrees. Apply the caliper at an angle approximately bisecting the angle of the elbow. Place firm pressure on the crossbars in order to compress the subcutaneous tissue.
  • Biepicondylar breadth of the femur, right. Seat the subject with knee bent at a right angle. Measure the greatest distance between the lateral and medial epicondyles of the femur with firm pressure on the crossbars in order to compress the subcutaneous tissue.
• Limb circumference measurments.
  • Calf girth, right. Stand with feet slightly apart. Place the tape around the calf and measure the maximum circumference
  • Upper arm girth, elbow flexed and tensed, right. The subject flexes the shoulder to 90 degrees and the elbow to 45 degrees, clenches the hand, and maximally contracts the elbow flexors and extensors. Take the measurement at the greatest girth of the arm.

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