Mesomorph, endomorph, ectomorph. Main features

According to Sheldon's theory, all people can be divided into three types according to their morphological features : mesomorph, endomorph, ectomorph. This is one of the simplest and most detailed classifications of the types of physique from the existing ones. Sheldon makes an attempt not only to find the criteria for describing the physical parameters of the body, but also to determine what temperament is behind this or that appearance. At first, this system of constitutional typology extended only to men, but then it was also applied to women. Want to know who you are - mesomorph, endomorph, ectomorph? Then take a look at yourself and compare with the descriptions below.

Endomorphs

They have the slowest metabolism, well-developed internal organs, especially the digestive system. They quickly accumulate fat and with difficulty part with it. People of this type have a round and soft body, a short neck and a wide waist.

Endomorphs are benevolent and good-natured, slow and careful, moderately emotional and tolerant. They love physical comfort, tasty food and relax. Such people have a good sense of humor, are sociable and are not prone to irritability.

Mesomorphs

This type is also called athletic. It is characterized by a proportional physique, medium height, broad shoulders, muscularity. Holders of such a figure tend to gain excess weight, but they can quickly drop it. Mesomorphs easily build muscle and accumulate physical strength.

As for the features of temperament, they are energetic, courageous, persevering, prone to risk, like rivalry and physical activity.

Ectomorphs

They are lean, sinewy and angular. They have long and thin limbs, often high growth, short body, flat chest, narrow shoulders, minimal fat reserves and poorly developed muscles, which are hard to build up.

Ectomorphs love solitude and solitude, are internally clamped, shy, artistic, prone to mental activity. It is believed that they have the largest brain and well-developed nervous system.

Ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph - how to define?

In fact, most people have the features of all three types in varying degrees of manifestation. In its pure form, mesomorphs, endomorphs, ectomorphs are not so common, and division is very arbitrary. To more accurately know your somatotype, you need to use the method developed by Sheldon, where each individual is described by three digits from 1 to 7. In this case, 1 corresponds to the minimum manifestation of signs of one type or another, and 7 corresponds to the maximum. That is, the pure endomorph is 711, the mesomorph is 171, the ectomorph is 117. A person with a harmonious constitution has a description of 444. It is clear that combinations of 111 and 777 are impossible.

Mesomorph, endomorph, ectomorph and bodybuilding

The definition of belonging to a particular type is especially important in bodybuilding for choosing the methods of training. After all, training for endomorphs is absolutely not suitable for representatives of two other types.

Especially fortunate mesomorphs: athletes with this physique have the most chances to achieve outstanding results in bodybuilding. Endomorphs can quickly build muscle mass, but they are hard to get rid of excess fat and achieve a good relief. The most difficult will be ectomorphs, which do not differ either by good power indicators, or responsive to muscle loads. They will not be able to build up large volumes, but due to the minimum amount of fat their muscles will always be embossed.