The influence of somatotype on anaerobic performance
Open accessAbstract
The link between athlete physique and performance in sports is well established. However, a direct link between somatotype three-numeral rating and anaerobic performance has not yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the relations between somatotype and anaerobic performance using both singular and multivariate analyses. Thirty-six physically active males (mean ± standard deviation age 26.0 ± 9.8 years; body mass 79.5 ± 12.9 kg; height 1.82 ± 0.07 m) were somatotype-rated using the Heath-Carter method. Subjects were assessed for 3 repetition maximum (3 RM) bench press and back squat, and completed a 30-second maximal sprint cycle test. Positive correlations were observed between mesomorphy and 3 RM bench press (r = 0.560, p < 0.001), mesomorphy and 3 RM back squat (r = 0.550, p = 0.001) and between mesomorphy and minimum power output (r = 0.357, p = 0.033). Negative correlations were observed between ectomorphy and 3 RM bench press (r = -0.381, p = 0.022), and ectomorphy and 3 RM back squat (r = -0.336, p = 0.045). Individual regression analysis indicated that mesomorphy was the best predictor of 3 RM bench press performance, with 31.4% of variance in 3 RM bench press performance accounted for by the mesomorphy rating (p < 0.001). A combination of mesomorphy and ectomorphy best predicted 3 RM back squat performance (R2 = 0.388, p < 0.04). Around one third of strength performance is predicted by somatotype-assessed physique in physically active males. This could have important implications for the identification of those predisposed to perform well in sports containing strength-based movements and prescription of training programmes.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
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 [8]
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 [8]
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 [8]
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 [8]
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 [8]
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 [8]
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 [8]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Discovering Statistics Using SPSS
Field, A. P., & Miles, J. N. V. (2000) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 28,268 · see citing works
How many subjects does it take to do a regression analysis
Green, S. B. (1991) · Multivariate Behavioral Research · doi:10.1207/s15327906mbr2603_7 · Cited by 3,916 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Green [29] suggests that the overall fit of a regression model is best tested when the sample size is 50 + 8k, where k is the number of predictors; so in the example of this study a regression model using all 3 somatotype ratings would need a sample size of 74 participants.”
MethodGuidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription
Sharp, N. C. C. (1993) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsm.27.2.138-a · Cited by 1,190 · see citing works
Applying regression & correlation : a guide for students and researchers
Miles, J. N. V., & Shevlin, M. E. (2001) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 1,040 · see citing works
Gottlieb, G. (2006) · Developmental Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2007.00556.x · Cited by 692 · see citing works
Somatotyping--development and applications
(1991) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.28-3911 · Cited by 646 · see citing works
Heath, B. H., & Carter, J. E. L. (1967) · American Journal of Physical Anthropology · doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330270108 · Cited by 533 · see citing works
Physiological tests for elite athletes
Gore, C. J. (2000) · Cited by 524 · see citing works
Acute Muscle Stretching Inhibits Maximal Strength Performance
Kokkonen, J. J., Nelson, A. G., & Cornwell, A. (1998) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.1998.10607716 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
The Effects of Stretching on Strength Performance
Rubini, E. D. C., Costa, A. L. L., & Gomes, P. S. C. (2007) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-200737030-00003 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
The Physique of the Olympic Athlete.
Palfrey, A. J. (1965) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 208 · see citing works
Acute Ballistic Muscle Stretching Inhibits Maximal Strength Performance
Nelson, A. G., & Kokkonen, J. J. (2001) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2001.10608978 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Caffeine enhances upper body strength in resistance-trained women
Goldstein, E., Jacobs, P. L., Whitehurst, M., Penhollow, T., & Antonio, J. (2010) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-18 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
The effect of PETTLEP imagery on strength performance
Wright, C. J., & Smith, D. (2009) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2009.9671890 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
The somatotypes of athletes--a review.
Carter, J. E. (1970) · PubMed · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Body Composition in Sport, Exercise and Health
(2012) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203133040 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Heredity and Endurance Performance
Bouchard, C., & Lortie, G. (1984) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-198401010-00004 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
The Reliability of 1- and 3Rm Tests of Unilateral Strength in Trained and Untrained Men and Women.
McCurdy, K. W., LANGFORD, G. A., Cline, A. L., et al. (2004) · PubMed · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Somatotype Variables Related to Muscle Torque and Power in Judoists
Lewandowska, J., Buśko, K., Pastuszak, A., et al. (2011) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.2478/v10078-011-0069-y · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Effects of Carbohydrate Restriction on Strength Performance
LEVERITT, M. D., & Abernethy, P. J. (1999) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/00124278-199902000-00010 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Somatotype, training and performance in Ironman athletes
Kandel, M., Baeyens, J., & Clarys, P. (2013) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2013.813971 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Cognitions, Mediating Variables, and Strength Performance
Wilkes, R. L., & Summers, J. J. (1984) · Journal of Sport Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsp.6.3.351 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Peeters, M., Thomis, M. A., Claessens, A., et al. (2003) · Annals of Human Biology · doi:10.1080/0301446031000102744 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
The relationship of strength to body size and typology
Laubach, L. L., & McConville, J. T. (1969) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-196912000-00004 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Heritability of somatotype components: a multivariate analysis
Peeters, M., Thomis, M. A., Loos, R. J. F., et al. (2007) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803575 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Structural changes in exercising middle-aged males during a 2-year period
Carter, J. E., & Phillips, W. (1969) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1969.27.6.787 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Protocols for the assessment of isoinertial strength
Logan, P., Fornasiero, D., Abernethy, P., & Lynch, K. (2000) · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Marta, C., Marinho, D. A., Barbosa, T. M., et al. (2013) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000000252 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Somatotype-variables related to muscle torque and power output in female volleyball players
Buśko, K., Lewandowska, J., Lipińska, M., Michalski, R., & Pastuszak, A. (2013) · PubMed · doi:10.5277/abb130214 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
The Effects of Emotive Imagery on Strength Performance
Murphy, S. M., Woolfolk, R. L., & Budney, A. J. (1988) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.10.3.334 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Body Composition and Somatotype of Experienced Mountain Climbers
Barbieri, D., Zaccagni, L., Cogo, A., et al. (2012) · High Altitude Medicine & Biology · doi:10.1089/ham.2011.1062 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Exercise Physiology for Health and Sports Performance
Draper, N. (2012) · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Marta, C., Marinho, D. A., Costa, A. M., et al. (2011) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.2478/v10078-011-0063-4 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Body height and predisposition for certain sports.
Medved, R. (1966) · PubMed · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Relationship of Somatotype to Physical Fitness
Willgoose, C. E., & Rogers, M. L. (1949) · The Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.1080/00220671.1949.10881739 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Somatotype, Body Composition and Explosive Power of Athlete and Non-Athlete
Saha, S. (2014) · Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies · doi:10.4172/2161-0673.1000137 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Resistance training for youths.
Ignjatovic, A. M., Stanković, R., Radovanović, D. S., et al. (2009) · Facta Universitatis Series Physical Education and Sport · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Physique: phenotype, somatotype and 3D scanning
(2012) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203133040-12 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Somatotype and stress hormone levels in young soccer players.
Handziska, E., Handziski, Z., Gjorgoski, I., et al. (2015) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [5]Norton K, Olds T, Olive S, Craig N. Anthropometry and sports performance In: Norton K, Olds T, editors. Anthropometrica. Australia: UNSW Press; 1996 pp. 287– 364
- [21]Song JK, Claessens AL, Lefevre J, Beunen G. The plasticity of human physique in adult men followed longitudinally from 18 to 35 years. Humanbiologica Budapestinensis. 1994; 25: 419– 24.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Theodorakis, N., Kreouzi, M., Pappas, A., & Nikolaou, M. (2024) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms252413438 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Estimating somatotype from a single-camera 3D body scanning system
Chiu, C., Ciems, R., Thelwell, M., Bullas, A., & Choppin, S. (2022) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1921041 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
- Authors
- Ryan-Stewart, H., Faulkner, J., & Jobson, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Winchester (GB)
- Venue
- PLOS ONE
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Published
- 2018-05-22
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- e0197761
- ISSN
- 1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5963773
- OpenAlex
- W2803705753
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 8.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Physical Performance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Keywords
- somatotype, anaerobic performance, mesomorphy, ectomorphy, bench press strength
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Analysis of Variance, Humans, Male, Somatotypes, Anaerobic Threshold, Athletic Performance, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
