Body Composition and Body Composition and SomatotypesSomatotypes

Monday October 6Monday October 6thth 2008 2008

““The percentage of body weight which is The percentage of body weight which is fat, muscle and bone” fat, muscle and bone” body compositionbody composition

As previously seen, body composition is As previously seen, body composition is important to both professional athletes and important to both professional athletes and normal everyday peoplenormal everyday people

Body weight is assessed by 2 factors:Body weight is assessed by 2 factors:% of body fat (skinfold callipers)% of body fat (skinfold callipers)Lean body mass (bones, muscles, organs etc)Lean body mass (bones, muscles, organs etc)

Body composition is genetic but can be changedBody composition is genetic but can be changed

This can be done through dieting (loosing weight) and This can be done through dieting (loosing weight) and partaking in an intense training programme (body partaking in an intense training programme (body builders)builders)

An individuals diet is dependent upon a number of An individuals diet is dependent upon a number of factors: natural build, sport (position) e.g. prop & scrum factors: natural build, sport (position) e.g. prop & scrum half in rugby- a rugby players weight varies from position half in rugby- a rugby players weight varies from position to position (see below)to position (see below)

Effects of under/overeating on body Effects of under/overeating on body weight & performanceweight & performance

Optimum: “most favourable” or “best Optimum: “most favourable” or “best compromise”compromise”Professional athletes all know their Professional athletes all know their optimum weight at which they perform optimum weight at which they perform best at and try to keep within this areabest at and try to keep within this areaWhat effects our optimum weight? height, What effects our optimum weight? height, sex, bone structure, muscle girthsex, bone structure, muscle girthThis is tested through skinfold callipers This is tested through skinfold callipers (P.54) and wrist girth (P.41)(P.54) and wrist girth (P.41)

Obesity and Eating disordersObesity and Eating disordersMany people in everyday life struggle to keep at Many people in everyday life struggle to keep at their optimum weighttheir optimum weightSome people are pushed towards disorders like Some people are pushed towards disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosaanorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Anorexia: chronic illness, no appetiteAnorexia: chronic illness, no appetiteBulimia: fear of becoming fatBulimia: fear of becoming fat

Being underweight can also affect ones Being underweight can also affect ones performance in sportperformance in sportSome sports categorise with weight limitsSome sports categorise with weight limitsJockeys: deliberately underweightJockeys: deliberately underweightBoxing: certain weight classBoxing: certain weight classHow one looses weight can be a determining How one looses weight can be a determining factorfactorCrash dieting, exercising wearing sweat suits, Crash dieting, exercising wearing sweat suits, going in saunas resulting in loss of fluidgoing in saunas resulting in loss of fluidDrugs also aid individuals-DiureticsDrugs also aid individuals-DiureticsThis all results in dehydration-poor performanceThis all results in dehydration-poor performance

Read (P.42-43 & P.50) on dietingRead (P.42-43 & P.50) on dieting

SomatotypesSomatotypes

Performance of athletes come under 3 Performance of athletes come under 3 categories classified as your somatotypecategories classified as your somatotype

These are:These are:Endomorph – sumo wrestlerEndomorph – sumo wrestlerMesomorph – 100m sprinterMesomorph – 100m sprinterEctomorph – high jumperEctomorph – high jumper

TaskTask: Categorise as many different : Categorise as many different sporting people as you can into the 3 sporting people as you can into the 3 categoriescategories

Endomorph:Endomorph: Round physique/soft bodyRound physique/soft body Underdeveloped musclesUnderdeveloped muscles Weight loss difficultWeight loss difficult

Mesomorph:Mesomorph: Athletic/muscular bodyAthletic/muscular body Gains muscle easilyGains muscle easily Excellent postureExcellent posture Mature muscle massMature muscle mass

Ectomorph:Ectomorph: Delicate built body/thinDelicate built body/thin Lean/lightly muscledLean/lightly muscled Small shoulderedSmall shouldered Difficult to gain muscleDifficult to gain muscle

Identifying your somatotype can be done Identifying your somatotype can be done through measuring your: through measuring your: HeightHeight WeightWeight Bone sizeBone size Muscle girthMuscle girth FatFat

Scores out of 7 is given in each category:Scores out of 7 is given in each category: Fatness – endomorphyFatness – endomorphy Muscularity – mesomorphyMuscularity – mesomorphy Linearity – ectomorphyLinearity – ectomorphy

Measuring fatMeasuring fat

Fat lies just beneath the skin and covers Fat lies just beneath the skin and covers most of the bodymost of the bodyThe amount varies between individuals The amount varies between individuals and position on the bodyand position on the bodyWe measure our body fat % using skinfold We measure our body fat % using skinfold calliperscallipersThis is done on 3 specific sites on right This is done on 3 specific sites on right hand side of the body: hand side of the body: Biceps/tricepsBiceps/triceps SubscapulaSubscapula Supra-iliacSupra-iliac

Bicep/TricepBicep/Tricep – Upper arm – Upper arm

SubscapulaSubscapula – Just below shoulder – Just below shoulder bladeblade

Supra-iliacSupra-iliac – Just above hip bone – Just above hip bone (iliac crest)(iliac crest)

Skinfold measurementsSkinfold measurements

Taking measurements is done by raising Taking measurements is done by raising skinfold at specific site with thumb and skinfold at specific site with thumb and forefinger (left hand)forefinger (left hand)

Open callipers by squeezing trigger with Open callipers by squeezing trigger with forefinger (right hand)forefinger (right hand)

Put calliper over skinfold and release Put calliper over skinfold and release graduallygradually

Measurements are taken in millimetresMeasurements are taken in millimetres

Testing Testing

In pairs you will now take measurements In pairs you will now take measurements of the 3 sitesof the 3 sites

Please follow the instructions on P.55 and Please follow the instructions on P.55 and in the booklets provided and record your in the booklets provided and record your results in your jottersresults in your jotters