ENDOMORPHY DOMINANCE AMONG NON-ATHLETE POPULATION IN ALL THE RANGES OF BODY MASS INDEX

Introduction: Body composition and fitness testing for non-athlete population is being implemented only to those who take memberships in health clubs but still amidst various limitations like expertise and instrumentations, so the quality of fitness evaluation process remains substandard in many health clubs. At one point, for personal learning purpose and at the same time, to improve the quality of fitness evaluation and training services, data of somatotype variables were collected using Heath-Carter somatotype method to enhance the understanding of the somatotype, physical efficiency parameters and outcomes of exercise participation and life style modifications of personal clientele. Objectives: The objective of this research study was to subject the collected data of somatotype variables of about 77 non-athlete subjects (males = 44, females = 33) into statistical analyses, interpret the somatotype diversity among the thirteen established somatotypes, compare the findings with the somatotype data of Olympic athletes obtained from Encyclopedia of International Sports Studies, relate the anthropometric variables with BMI classification and stimulate further researches. Results: Out of 77 non-athlete subjects, it was found that approximately 87% were mesomorphic endomorph, 5% were ectomorphic endomorph, 7% were balanced endomorph, 1% was mesomorph endomorph and zero representation for other 9 somatotypes. This is chiefly because their endomorphy component was greater than the mesomorphy and ectomorphy components, regardless of BMI, as detected by Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype method. Conclusion: Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype testing should be considered indispensable in Physiotherapy curriculum and practice. Sustained applications of somatotype test in all clinical and fitness evaluations have the potential of enhancing public awareness about measuring health through periodical somatotype testing not just only by BMI and laboratory testing of physiologic parameters because very high endomorphy component and its health risks may be hidden inside various accepted non-obese body frames as well.