1. GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION EDEXCEL
Long answer question
GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION EDEXCEL

2. starter Identify the characteristics of all 3 different somatotypes
Record your answers on a whiteboard.

3. Characteristics of somatotypes
Mesomorphs- muscular/broad shoulders/equiv. Gain muscle readily/equiv DO NOT ACCEPT big built.
Ectomorph- Slim/equiv, often tall/equiv, lightly muscled/equiv.
Endomorph- Wide hips/equiv, narrow shoulders/equiv, weight loss more difficult/equiv
Characteristics of somatotypes

4. Aspire- Discuss whether an extreme mesomorph would be the ideal body type for endurance activities such as long distance running.
Challenge-Identify the characteristics of 3 somatotypes and explain advantages of each body type.
Learning Outcomes

5. How suited to long distance running?
How is each somatotype suited to long distance running?
Somatotype
How suited to long distance running?
MESOMORPH
ECTOMORPH
ENDOMORPH
TASK

6. How suited to long distance running?
SOMATOTYPE
How suited to long distance running?
MESOMORPH
Better muscle ratio therefore more power/speed/strength generated so better for power events
ECTOMORPH
Ideal as lighter therefore quicker/easier to run/more suitable
ENDOMORPH
Ideal as tall therefore they have greater stride length to cover distance quicker.

8. Why would a mesomorph not make an ideal long distance runner?
Discuss with your partner using examples to explain.
Record all.

9. Why would a mesomorph not make an ideal long distance runner?
Increased weight due to muscle mass therefore slowing the runner down/making them work harder/need more energy/use more oxygen.
Reduced flexibility due to increased muscle mass therefore shorter stride length.
Better suited to power events due to muscle mass. E.g 100m sprint
Not suited to endurance events.
Why would a mesomorph not make an ideal long distance runner?

10. So… which somatotype would make ideal long distance runner?
Mesomorph ?
Endomorph?
Ectomorph?
So… which somatotype would make ideal long distance runner?

11. Conclusion.

12. Ectomorph- lighter frame therefore less demanding physically than for other body types to complete the distance. Therefore, although a mesomorph could run in this type of event- it is not the ‘ideal’.
Extreme body types for long distance runner would be better to ectomorph.
Could state that ideal body type is mostly ectomorph with some muscles/equiv.
Conclusion

13. Extreme body types(somatotypes) are classified as endomorph, mesomorph or ectomorph.
Discuss whether an extreme mesomorph would be the ideal body type for endurance activities such as long distance running.
(6 marks)
PLAN:
Characteristics of each somatotype.
Discussion why each body type could be ideal for long distance running.
Discussion why mesomorph not ideal for long distance running.
Conclusion-Not ideal, better suited to ectomorph or ecto/mesomorph with reasons why.
Plenary

15. Aspire- Discuss whether an extreme mesomorph would be the ideal body type for endurance activities such as long distance running.
Challenge-Identify the characteristics of 3 somatotypes and explain advantages of each body type.
Learning Outcomes