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Somatotype is More Interactive with Strength than Fat Mass and Physical Activity in Peripubertal Children

Carlos Marta1, Daniel A Marinho, Aldo M Costa

  • 1Department of Sports Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda. Education, Communication and Sport School (IPG), Guarda, Portugal ; Research Centre for Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal.

Journal of Human Kinetics
|March 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Body composition and somatotype influence physical activity in prepubescent children. Children with specific body types showed better performance in strength and power tests, suggesting morphology impacts motor skills.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Exercise Science
  • Human Morphology
  • Childhood Physical Activity

Background:

  • Understanding the interplay between body composition, somatotype, and physical performance is crucial for childhood development.
  • Prepubescent children exhibit diverse physical characteristics that may influence their motor skills and athletic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the interaction between somatotype, body fat percentage, and physical activity levels in prepubescent children.
  • To investigate how different body compositions and somatotypes correlate with performance in various physical fitness tests.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 312 children (10-11.5 years old) involving body mass index and skin-fold measurements for body fat analysis.
  • Somatotype assessment using Carter's method and physical activity evaluation via the Baecke questionnaire and specific fitness tests (e.g., curl-ups, jump, strength).

Main Results:

  • Negative associations were found between body fat, endomorphy, and mesomorphy with tests of agility and explosive power (curl-ups, push-ups, broad jump).
  • Positive associations were observed for these somatotypes with strength and power tests (ball throw, handgrip, stair climb).
  • Non-obese children excelled in agility tests, while obese children scored higher in strength and power tests; specific somatotypes (mesoectomorphic boys, ectomesomorphic girls) showed superior performance across tests.

Conclusions:

  • Morphological typology demonstrated stronger interactions with strength performance than body fat percentage or general physical activity levels.
  • Specific physical characteristics and somatotype appear to be critical determinants of motor proficiency and physical capabilities in prepubescent children.

Keywords:
anthropometricmotor performancephysical fitnessstrength

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