Introduction
Physique types were introduced by the American physician William Sheldon in 1942 as a classification of physical and associated psychological characteristics. His investigations were based on the studies of the psychologist Ernst Kretschmer, who already in the 1920s made a classification into constitutional types. In this sense, the assumptions made at that time are considered outdated, but today the physique types are often used in the fitness industry to develop an optimal training plan.
Constitution types according to Sheldon
Sheldon’s theses were based on the three cotyledons from which all the tissues of the embryo develop. According to Sheldon, the proportions of the three cotyledons ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm are differently pronounced in later humans, resulting in different appearance and characteristics. It should be noted that hardly any human being can be placed in a single group of physique types.
As a rule, mixed proportions can be found. The description of physique types in human biology must be distinguished from this. There certain anatomical characteristics are assigned to the individual types.
Synonym: leptosome, asthenisch As ectomorphic typically persons are designated, who are slim and hardly tend to fat deposits. Predominantly leptosome people are tall with long arms and legs. In contrast, the upper body is rather short.
Thin hair is another characteristic. In the fitness area, the ectomorph is concerned with the increase of muscle mass. Endurance and strength are scarce in the untrained state and muscle growth is slow.
Priority should be given to strength training as part of the sports program. The breaks between the training days should be generous to ensure that the body regenerates well. Sports such as endurance running or swimming are of the ectomorphic type, but they contribute only little to muscle building.
In the past, the ectomorphic type was associated with rather unsociable behavior. He was considered introverted and thoughtful. The corresponding cotyledon, whose part in this type of human is said to predominate, is the ectoderm.
From this, among other things, the nervous system emerges, which is supposed to be a proof of the head-emphasis of the ectomorph. Synonym: metromorphic, athletic This type of body can be described as rather muscular. The upper body is strongly pronounced and stands in a V-shape (broad shoulder, narrow hip).
Fat deposits may accumulate on the hips and abdomen. Apart from a pronounced cheek area and a rather elongated face, thick and thick hairs catch the eye. The mesomorphic type should strive for a balanced training program, because he tends to build up muscles quickly and an unbalanced training position with the use of only a few muscle groups is not desirable.
Short breaks between training sessions are also sufficient for him, as he can recover quickly. In contrast to the ectomorphic type, the mesomorphic type was considered sociable. Other characteristics are reliability, courage and a rather simply structured thinking.
The associated cotyledon according to Sheldon is the mesoderm. Bones, muscles and the cardiovascular system develop from it. Synonym: pyknomorphic People who tend to be overweight are called pyknomorphic or endomorphic.
This physique type is accompanied by strong fat deposits, especially on the hips. The face is rather round, neck, arms and legs are short. The hair is thin, but numerous.
The skin is also described as smooth or soft. The aim of the endomorphic type is to reduce fat deposits. For this purpose, sports such as jogging, cycling or other high-calorie sports should be practiced.
The training intensity should initially be chosen rather low. The endomorphic type was considered to be an epicurean who loves to eat and is also characterized by good-naturedness, optimism and a relaxed lifestyle. Here mainly the endoderm as cotyledon is pronounced. All internal structures of the body, such as the intestines and digestive organs, originate from it. Therefore, the endomorph is assigned the above mentioned characteristics.
