1. Somatotypes – what you should know
Knowledge – Describe the different body types
Understand – Explain and identify activities where different body types are an advantage
Application – Exam Questions (Answer, Check, Answer again)

2. Somatotypes
Different body types (sizes and shapes) can affect performance in different activities.
Body type is also known as somatotype.
The three extreme somatotypes are:

3. ENDOMORPHS
A lot of body fat
Wide hips and narrow shoulders

4. ECTOMORPHS Very little muscle or body fat Narrow hips and shoulders
Thin legs and arms

5. MESOMORPHS Very little body fat A muscular body
Broad shoulders and narrow hips

6. Somatotypes and Sport Throwing, Rugby (forward), Sumo Wrestling
Sports
Reason
Throwing, Rugby (forward), Sumo Wrestling
Grouped in sports that require power. Extra body fat means more body weight, which means the performer can get more momentum or force behind their actions
Sprinting, Throwing,
Rugby (backs)
Involved in sports that require strength and power, particularly sudden bursts of energy
Endurance, High Jumping
Involved in sports that require endurance because less weight to carry means less energy used

7. In reality most performers are made up of a mixture of mesomorphic, endomorphic and ectomorphic characteristics.
Throwers, for example, are predominantly muscular (mesomorphic) but do have a high fat rating (endomorhic)
A high jumper is predominantly ectomorphic (tall and thin) but does have a high rating of muscle (mesomorphic)

8. Exam question (easy questions – 1 or 2 marks)
Complete the statements below about different body types
(a)_________tend to be very muscular (1)
(b) Ectomorphs tend to be slim and________. They have a suitable body type for_________. (2)
Mesomorph
Tall
High Jump

9. Exam question (more difficult 3 or 4 marks)
Explain how one of the characteristics of an endomorph could be an advantage in the shot putt (4)
An endomorph is a person with extra body fat.
Extra body fat increases the body weight or mass of the thrower, which means the performer can get more momentum or force behind the throw. This means the shot putt can be thrown further.

10. Key Terms Somatotype: classification of body type
Endomorph: an individual with wide hips and narrow shoulders, characterised by fatness
Mesomorph: an individual with wide shoulders and narrow hips, characterised by muscularity
Ectomorph: an individual with narrow shoulders and narrow hips, characterised by thinness