HHP 100 Foundations of Exercise Science

Name______________________________
Lab #2 9/15-9/19 Somatotyping

Purpose/Goals  Ectomorphy is a measure of percentage of adipose tissue determined by 
BMI and skinfold calculations.  Mesomorphy is a measure of musculoskeletal dimensions
determined by elbow and knee width and biceps and calf muscle circumferences.
Ectomorphy is a measure of height to weight comparison and a measurement of body 
proportions. 

Textbook  Chpts 3,4, and 5

Equipment  Tape measurer, skinfold calipers, scales, and charts of norms for BMI, skinfold 
measurements, height, weight, and waste to hip ratio.  If you wish to calculate your Heath-
Carter Somatotype google Heath-Carter and click on Manual (first entry) and apply this data
to the formula provided

Task Take the following measurements and either using charts provided or formulas determine
the following somatotyping components.

Procedure and Data 
I.  Calculate BMI collect height and weight data and calculate using this formula.
	1.  Divide weight by 2.2 to determine weight in kilograms
	2.  Convert height to inches
	3.  Multiply height by 2.54 and divide by 100 to convert to meters
	4.  Multiply height in meters by height in meters ( height squared)
	5.  Divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared = BMI

 	BMI = _______________

II.  Skinfold (See the instruction sheet for skinfold that Elisa has - measurements 
taken in mm)
		Males				Females
	Chest _____________ mm		Triceps____________mm
	Abdomen___________mm		Suprailium_________mm
	Thigh_______________mm		Thigh_____________mm
	TOTAL______________			TOTAL____________

III.  We do not have bicondylar calipers so you will use a tape measure to estimate
	A.  Measure the widest point at the posterior knee and anterior elbow (from anatomical
	     position, record to nearest 1/4 inch)
	     Knee__________________	Elbow_____________________

	B.  Measure the point of the largest circumference for the biceps (when contracted
	     maximally) and the calf muscle when standing normally.  Record the measurement
	     to the nearest 1/4 inch.
	     Biceps_________________	Calf_______________________

IV.  From your calculations for the BMI
	A.  Height_________________	Weight_____________________

	B.  Waist to hip ratio (to nearest 1/16 inch)  Stand with your feet together and arms 
	     at your sides.  Raise your arms only high enough to take measurements. Partner 
	     should make sure the tape is horizontal around the entire circumference and pulled 
	     snuggly against your skin. Tape should not cause indentations in skin.
	     Waist measurement_______________________
	     Hip measurement_________________________

	     Waist to hip ratio / Waist measurement divided by hip measurement = ___________

	C.  Thigh to lower leg comparison Measure from greater trochanter to patella for thigh
	     and from patella to malleolus for lower leg to the nearest 1/2 inch
	     Thigh__________________   	Lower leg________________

Analysis and Interpretation Compare results from various measurements and calculations
with appropriate graphs that the lab instructor has.  Note where you are on graphs or norms.  If you would 
like to know your somatotype according to Heath-Carter, google Heath-Carter and click on the 
manual (first entry) and apply data to the formula.  

Application Fill in the chart below.(Note; this is the kind of information you will use in your
personal perscription project)  How do 
you feel about the results from these measurements and 
what, if anything, would you do about it?  Can you provide any further information that might 
explain the results that you got?

Questions
1.  BMI compares  height and weight and gives you an estimate of what component?  
     What is the problem with this reading?

2.  Why is somatotyping considered a phenotype rather than a genotype?