and E ctomorphy ) In the 1940s, American Psychologist William Herbert Sheldon developed a theory that there are three body types, or somato types — Endomorph, Mesomorph and Ectomorph. The names were given after the three germ layers of embryonic development; the endoderm (develops into the digestive tract), the mesoderm (becomes muscle, heart and blood vessels), and the ectoderm (forms the skin and nervous system). Each somato type has its own distinct physical characteristics and supposedly distinet personality as well. The unique physical characteristics of each body type are still widely used as an important factor while designing workout routines for the individual.
Endomorph Mesomorph Ectomorph Fig. . : Three body types . Endomorph: An endomorphic individual typically has short arms and legs and a large amount of mass on their frame.
Their mass hampers their ability to compete in sports requiring high levels of agility or speed and perform sustained weight bearing aerobic activities such as running. Sports of pure strength, like power lifting, are perfect for an endomorph. They can gain weight easily and lose condition quickly if the training stops. Such individuals have: (i) a pear shaped body (ii) a rounded head (iii) wide hips and shoulders (iv) wider front to back rather than side to side (v) a lot of fat on the body, upper arms and thighs (vi) Such individuals are good for sports such as rugby where bulk is useful, provided it can be moved powerfully.
They tend to have large lung capacity which can make them suited to sports such as rowing. They can increase muscle mass much more easily than ectomorphs. . Mesomorph: A mesomorphic individual excels in strength, agility, and speed related games/sports.
Their medium structure and height, along with their tendency to gain muscle and strength easily makes them a strong candidate for a top athlete in any sport. They can sustain low body fat levels and find it easy to lose and gain weight. They have: (i) a wedge shaped body (ii) a cubical head (iii) wide broad shoulders (iv) muscled arms and legs (v) narrow hips (vi) narrow