Somatotyping: Development and Applications (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521359511)

The first major account of the somatotyping field in over thirty years, this volume presents a comprehensive history of somatotyping, beginning with W.H. Sheldon's introduction to the method in 1940. The controversies regarding the validity of Sheldon's method are described, as are the various attempts to modify the technique, particularly the Heath-Carter method, which has come into widespread use. Somatotyping is a method of description and assessment of the body on three shape and composition scales: endomorphy (relative fatness), mesomorphy (relative musculoskeletal robustness), and ectomorphy (relative linearity). The book reviews present knowledge of somatotypes around the world, how they change with growth, aging and exercise, and the contributions of genetics and environment to the rating. Also reviewed are the relationships among somatotypes and sport, physical performance, health and behavior.

Author: Kathryn Carter, Barbara Honeyman Heath, J. E. L. Carter
ISBN-10: 0521359511
ISBN-13: 9780521359511
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 11/10/2005
Pages: 520
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.66lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.16d