Estimating somatotype from a single-camera 3D body scanning system
Open accessAbstract
Somatotype is an approach to quantify body physique (shape and body composition). Somatotyping by manual measurement (the anthropometric method) or visual rating (the photoscopic method) needs technical expertize to minimize intra‐ and inter‐observer errors. This study aims to develop machine learning models which enable automatic estimation of Heath‐Carter somatotypes using a single‐camera 3D scanning system. Single‐camera 3D scanning was used to obtain 3D imaging data and computer vision techniques to extract features of body shape. Machine learning models were developed to predict participants' somatotypes from the extracted shape features. These predicted somatotypes were compared against manual measurement procedures. Data were collected from 46 participants and used as the training/validation set for model developing, whilst data collected from 17 participants were used as the test set for model evaluation. Evaluation tests showed that the 3D scanning methods enable accurate (mean error < 0.5; intraclass correlation coefficients >0.8) and precise (test‐retest root mean square error < 0.5; intraclass correlation coefficients >0.8) somatotype predictions. This study shows that the 3D scanning methods could be used as an alternative to traditional somatotyping approaches after the current models improve with the large datasets.
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The classification of somatotypes-ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph-provides a framework for understanding individual variability in weight management.
“The classification of somatotypes—ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph—provides an essential framework for understanding individual variability in weight management.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Higher leptin and cortisol levels in endomorphs may further encourage energy storage and hinder weight loss efforts.
“Additionally, higher leptin and cortisol levels may further encourage energy storage and hinder weight loss efforts.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Endomorphs' hormonal profile often features higher baseline insulin levels and a greater anabolic response, which favors fat storage.
“Their hormonal profile often features higher baseline insulin levels and a greater anabolic response, which favors fat storage.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Endomorphs have a tendency toward fat storage and efficient energy conservation, often facing challenges in weight loss due to a lower baseline metabolic rate and metabolic efficiency that favors energy storage.
“Endomorphs, with a tendency toward fat storage and efficient energy conservation, often face challenges in weight loss due to a lower baseline metabolic rate and a metabolic efficiency that favors energy storage.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Ectomorphs tend toward catabolism and may struggle to gain or maintain lean mass, particularly during caloric restriction.
“These individuals tend toward catabolism, which means they may struggle to gain or maintain lean mass, particularly during caloric restriction.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Mesomorphs generally have a higher muscle mass, which supports an elevated BMR and aids in maintenance of lean mass during caloric deficit.
“This body type generally has a higher muscle mass, which supports an elevated BMR, aiding in the maintenance of lean mass during caloric deficit.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
Ectomorphs are typically lean with a lower propensity for fat storage and often have a naturally higher metabolic rate and reduced efficiency in energy storage.
“Ectomorphs, who are typically lean with a lower propensity for fat storage, often experience a naturally higher metabolic rate and reduced efficiency in energy storage.”
From Beyond Calories: Individual Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations Driving Variability in Weight Management—A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
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- Authors
- Chiu, C., Ciems, R., Thelwell, M., Bullas, A., & Choppin, S.
- Affiliations
- Sheffield Hallam University (GB)
- Hawk‐eye Innovations Ltd. Basingstoke UK
- Corresponding author
- Chiu, Chuang‐Yuan
- Venue
- European Journal of Sport Science
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-05-16
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1204-1210
- ISSN
- 1536-7290 (ISSN-L)
- 1746-1391
- OpenAlex
- W3157355763
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- European Journal of Sport Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- SHURA (Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive) (Sheffield Hallam University) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Sheffield Hallam University (NA)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Face recognition and analysis
- Keywords
- somatotype, Heath-Carter somatotype, 3D body scanning, body shape, body composition, computer vision, shape feature extraction, machine learning prediction, anthropometry, test-retest reliability
- MeSH terms
- Anthropometry, Body Composition, Humans, Somatotypes, Imaging, Three-Dimensional
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