A man of strong physique. Body Types

The body of each person has its own, unique, characteristics - this is weight, and shape, and size, and the amount of muscle mass, as well as proportions. But among all the diversity in science, it is customary to single out some basic body types.

To begin with, it is worth noting that the human physique is a manifestation of genetic material. Some scientists also believe that body types can determine some of the general properties of the body, a tendency to any disease, and even character traits and temperament. In addition, the structural features of the body are taken into account when choosing a system of physical training or creating the right diet. But there are several classification systems.

human according to E. Kretschmer

A well-known German doctor believed that a person's physique can determine certain general psychological characteristics, evaluate the individual's reaction to the influence of the external and internal environment. Body types in this system were as follows:

  • Astenik. People of this type had a high growth and fragile physique. The asthenic man has narrow shoulders, thin arms, and an elongated face. Women, on the other hand, could be short, but fragility and thinness remained unchanged.
  • Picnic. This form is characterized by small growth and a blurred figure, which was explained by the presence of rich fat deposits. It is these people who are most often prone to overweight problems.
  • Athletic. This includes people of high or medium height with an athletic figure, strong muscles, and a wide shoulder girdle.
  • Dysplastic type. To this group, Kretschmer attributed individuals with a shapeless body structure or the presence of any deformations.

Body types: the system of Professor V.M. Chernorutsky

This classification is not so different from the previous one, but is considered more accurate and modern. The professor identified three main types of structure of the human body.

  • Hyposthenic type - characterized by high growth, a small amount and poorly developed muscles. The shoulders are narrow, the chest is elongated.
  • Normosthenic type - this group includes people with normal, average indicators. Such a person has a well-formed skeleton, as well as well-developed muscles. If we talk about the amount of subcutaneous fat, then it corresponds to the average. The limbs are proportional, the shoulders are wide and the chest is convex.
  • Hypersthenic type - a person is characterized by short stature and an excess amount of adipose tissue. That is why such people are more prone to obesity. It is believed that this group includes patients with elevated blood cholesterol levels.

Body types of men

This classification system was created by William Sheldon, Professor By the way, and to this day it is very popular among bodybuilders. It is customary to distinguish three main types of male physique:

  • Endomorph- a person with rounded, sometimes vague body shapes. Such a man is characterized by a short neck, large chest, large spherical belly, soft muscles, thin wrists. As a rule, such representatives of the stronger sex are more prone to obesity.
  • Ectomorph- This is a typical lanky man. In such people, high growth is combined with disproportionate sizes of arms and legs, a long chest and an almost complete absence of subcutaneous fat deposits.
  • Mesofmorph- this includes people with a normal physique. They have a developed muscular system, but there is also a sufficient amount of subcutaneous fatty tissue. These are men with dense,

Of course, it is very rare to find a person who would be a pure sample of some type of physique. More often two or even three forms are combined in people.

People with different body types will face different challenges while exercising, although they may have the same long-term goals.

People with different body types need to solve different problems

Body type is one of the variants of the norm of the human constitution. In this sense, the constitution (phenotypic) characterizes the human body through the structure and indicators of the muscle and bone tissue of a particular organism - a set of stable biological, design and functional features. These indicators are entirely due to hereditary predispositions (although it should be noted that a slight correction of body type at an early age is still possible)

Since the type of physique characterizes only one of the variants of the norm of the constitution, the number of body types depends on the method of determining the norm. Academician Petlenko V.P. defines five body types:

  • athletic;
  • graceful (graceful);
  • asthenic;
  • hypersthenic;
  • normosthenic.

Professor Chernorutsky V.M. identifies three main types of physique, in part coinciding with the classification of Academician V.P. Petlenko:

  • asthenic (or hyposthenic) - also includes the graceful body type according to Petlenko V.P.
  • normosthenic (including athletic type according to Petlenko V.P.)
  • hypersthenic

Brief description of the main body types:

Hyposthenic type of constitution(physique) is characterized by a relatively low position of the diaphragm, a chest extended from top to bottom (and a relatively reduced circumference), an elongated neck, narrow shoulders, long and thin limbs, usually well above average height. Muscle mass is underdeveloped. The amount of adipose tissue is usually below average - including in women. Features of the internal structure - due to the elongated chest - the heart is usually small, the shape of the heart is elongated, tear-shaped, the lungs are also elongated, the absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced.

Normosthenic body type characterized by good (significantly better than that of the hyposthenic body type) development of muscle mass, and as a result, a strong and developed bone skeleton. The amount of adipose tissue is approximately the average. Features of the internal structure - the chest is convex, the shoulders are wide, the length of the limbs is proportional. All characteristics correspond to the average.

Hypersthenic body type characterized by a high diaphragm, a relatively large heart, usually growth relative to weight below average, a rounded chest - flattened from top to bottom, usually a short neck. Features of the internal structure are due to the rounded chest. The amount of adipose tissue is usually above average. The blood is characterized by a high content of cholesterol. The absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract is high.

The dependence of weight loss on body type

The dependence of the propensity to accumulate adipose tissue on body type is most pronounced in hypersthenic type . A slight excess of calories from food (especially in the form of easily digestible carbohydrates) is enough for body weight to begin to increase - this type, like no other, needs not diets for weight loss (in the truest sense of the word), but nutrition systems (such as the Sybarite diet ).

Hyposthenic type physique is not predisposed to the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue - and if obesity does occur, it is often due to extremely low physical activity (both professional and social). The use of diets (fast diets) will be effective.

Normosthenic type physique in terms of weight loss occupies an intermediate position - it is necessary to combine diets (or nutrition systems) and increase physical activity.

Specific diseases for different body types

Regarding the main types of physique, the dependence of characteristic diseases (including chronic ones) on the type of physique is of particular importance. Knowledge of these predispositions to diseases makes it possible, if not to completely prevent them, then at least to significantly reduce the threat of the disease by taking preventive measures (or to prevent the transition to the chronic phase).

Hyposthenic type physique has a predisposition to respiratory diseases, gastritis and stomach ulcers (duodenal ulcers) with low acidity. Increased risk of arterial hypotension. In people with this body type, vegetative-vascular dystonia is observed more often than others.

Normosthenic type physique has a predisposition to diseases such as rheumatism, gastritis and stomach ulcers (duodenal ulcers) with high acidity. More often than others, representatives of this body type are diagnosed with hypertension.

Hypersthenic type physique has a predisposition to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, metabolic disorders (including obesity). The blood pressure is usually higher than normal. On the other hand, representatives of this type are much better at resisting colds and respiratory diseases.

You can determine your body type by measuring your wrist circumference. If, with a height of 160 to 175 cm, the wrist circumference is 16-18 cm, then the type is normal-boned, if less than 16 cm, then thin-boned, if more than 18.5 cm, then broad-boned.

How to determine what type your body is?

To determine your type means to do half the battle on the way to an exemplary figure. Think for yourself, how can different "types" train in the same way? Of course not! Why do thin people lean on aerobics? She will "dry" them even more! No, they need to build muscle! What about complete endomorphs? They even need to sleep in an embrace with an aerobics manual! Their main task is to lose excess fat. And the athletic type is generally something especially rare.

People with different body types respond differently to the same training system. What works for one may not work for another. In short, each type needs its own, purely individual program. Only she will give a quick and effective return.

If you take up training according to some kind of "folk" sports allowance, then you will have to perform at least 5-6 such physical exercises that you personally do not need. Of course, there will be nothing wrong with this - all exercises are useful in one way or another, but how much time will you lose before it dawns on you that you need your exercises! However, you can answer this question exactly: about a year and a half. In any case, this is how much bodybuilders usually spend on empty training according to general schemes, until they finally find in the sea of ​​exercises, complexes and methods that suits their individual genetics.

By the way, the loss of time is not the worst thing. Worst of all, ineffective workouts destroy faith in sports, deprive them of enthusiasm.

There are three different body types, which are called somatotypes: ectomorphic, mesomorphic and endomorphic.


Ectomorph hasshort torso, long arms and legs, long and narrow feet and hands, and very little fat. It is narrow in the chest and shoulders, and its muscles are usually long and thin. The metabolism of ectomorphs is very fast, so there is usually no problem with body fat. However, it is more difficult for them to build muscle.

Mesomorph - broad chest, long torso, solid muscle structure and great strength. He is an athlete from birth.

Endomorph - soft muscles, round face, short neck, wide hips and a large supply of fat. A typical endomorph is a corpulent person who has a relatively high percentage of fat compared to muscle. Such people quickly and easily gain weight. As a rule, fat is deposited in their thighs and buttocks.

Of course, it is rare to find a person with a clearly defined model physique of any one type. Basically, people have a combination of signs of all three types. According to the existing classification, a total of eighty-eight subtypes are distinguished, which are formed as a result of the predominance of certain indicators of each main type. The degree of predominance is estimated in arbitrary units from 1 to 7. For example, if the characteristics of your physique are rated as ectomorphic, mesomorphic and endomorphic, then you are an endomesomorph, that is, you are basically an athletic type with well-developed muscles, but at the same time prone to excess body fat .

Body typology

When it comes to fine-tuning your physique through an exercise program, the three categories above fall short. I had to expand the classification to 6 types: A-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped. O-shaped, T-shaped and X-shaped.

Your body type:

A-shaped

The shoulders are narrow, the pelvis is slightly wider; the impression of a "heavy" lower body - full legs and buttocks; a tendency to deposit fat below the waist (the upper body may even appear thin); low metabolic rate (if you do not specifically follow the diet, weight quickly arrives).

H-shaped

Wide or medium bone; small chest; full legs; visual impression of approximately the same width of the shoulders, waist and pelvis; tendency to form fatty deposits in the abdomen and thighs; moderate metabolic rate.

I-shaped

Thin skeleton; gauntness; weak muscles; almost no body fat; high metabolic rate (no matter how much you eat, you do not get fat).

0-shaped

Wide bones; wide pelvis and shoulders; full hips, chest, arms; a clear excess of body fat throughout the body; low metabolism (weight gain even if you eat relatively little).

T-shaped

The shoulders are broad, wider than the pelvis; fat is deposited mainly on the trunk (back, chest, sides); average metabolic rate (you only get fat if you start eating too much).

X-shaped

The bones are medium; the width of the shoulders is approximately equal to the width of the hips; slim waist; full chest; fat deposits are formed on the buttocks and thighs; average metabolic rate (you only get fat if you start eating too much).

Take a closer look in the mirror and then compare what you see with the descriptions above. Well, get on with your workouts.

How often should you look in the mirror? The first - before the start of the training and the second - after the completion of the training program. Why so few? Looking at yourself in the middle of a process is just as pointless as judging a sculpture that is only half done. The results of the training do not arrive at rocket speed, so if you start to meticulously look at yourself after a couple of classes, you risk getting upset: it will seem to you that nothing has happened to your figure.

But in fact, it is not. Changes are not visible to the eye, but they began - at the level of the body. The heart increased its efficiency, small capillaries in the muscles opened up, otherwise the stomach, kidneys, liver started to work ... Time will pass and the number of physiological changes will turn into the quality of your figure. The main thing is to have patience! If, on the contrary, you impatiently rush to the mirror after each workout, you will get nothing but irritation.
With the right training and nutrition, you can develop muscle in any body type, but people with different body types will have different tasks in the process of training, although their long-term goals may be the same.

Workout for ectomorphs

For the typical ectomorph, the main goal is to gain weight, preferably in the form of quality muscle mass. Even with the strength and stamina to run a marathon, the ectomorph finds that his musculature develops very slowly, and he often has to force himself to eat more than usual to ensure weight gain. Therefore, it is recommended for them:

1. Include lots of intense strength training in a program to maximize muscle building. Your program should be based primarily on heavy weights and low reps (6-8 reps after a good warm-up),

2. Learn to train hard so that every series counts. This way you can keep your workouts relatively short without sacrificing quality (14 to 16 sets per major body part instead of 16 to 20 sets). Rest well between sets and give your body enough time to recuperate between workouts.

3. Pay close attention to your diet. Consume more calories than you are used to; if necessary, drink protein shakes to replenish the body's energy resources.

4. Remember that you are trying to convert food energy into body mass. Therefore, do not burn a lot of energy by overindulging in activities such as aerobics, running, swimming, and other active sports. Cardiovascular training is desirable and necessary for health, but someone who spends several hours a day on aerobic exercise outside the gym will find it much more difficult to build muscle in training.

Training for mesomorphs

A mesomorph can build muscle with relative ease, but he definitely needs to put together a sufficiently varied exercise program so that his muscles develop proportionately and have a beautiful shape, and not just be dense and massive. Here is what is recommended for mesomorphs:

1. Focus on high-quality, detailed training with isolation of individual muscle groups along with basic exercises to increase mass and muscle strength. You easily increase the volume of muscles, so you can work on their shape and definition from the very beginning.

2. Mesomorphs gain weight so quickly that they don't have to worry about conserving energy or overtraining. A standard workout (16 to 20 sets per body part) is fine; you can adjust the rest periods between series as you wish.

3. A balanced diet with plenty of protein, allowing you to maintain a calorie level at which the maximum deviation of weight from the tournament form is no more than 10-15 pounds throughout the year. You should not gain 30-40 pounds, and then with great effort to get rid of this weight before the competition.

Training for endomorphs

Usually, it is not difficult for an endomorph to build muscle. First of all, he should focus on getting rid of body fat, and then follow a special diet. Therefore, I recommend the following to endomorphs:

1. Increased volume of high-speed training with more repetitions(at least 10-12 before MTBF), with very short rest periods to burn as much fat as possible. Whenever possible, perform a few additional series: this will help you lose weight even faster.

2. Additional aerobic exercise, for example, cycling, jogging, and other high-intensity activities. Working out in the gym also burns calories, but not as intensely as a daily cardiovascular workout for 35-40 minutes.

3. Low calorie diet with the right balance of nutrients. You don't have to cut anything, but keep your protein, carbs, and fats to a minimum. Vitamins and mineral supplements are needed to make up for possible deficiencies in important micronutrients.

Body composition testing

Although nature has given you a specific body type, by gaining muscle mass and shedding fat tissue, you are actually changing your body composition. It can often be difficult to keep track of this: workouts occur almost daily, so body composition can change markedly without your knowledge. It's always good to look at yourself in the mirror and use a measuring tape, but sometimes that's not enough.

In addition to simple testing methods, there are different types of body composition testing. Such testing gives you an idea of ​​the percentage of muscle mass and body fat. It helps you keep track of your progress over time. The most common types of body composition testing are listed below:

  • Skin fold testing. Calipers are used to capture skin folds in various parts of the body and measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer. In the future, this value is used in the calculation of body composition.
  • Testing by immersion in water. A person is weighed on a scale and in water, and then certain measurements are taken, such as calculating the residual capacity of the lungs. The numbers are substituted into the formula to determine the ratio between fat and lean body mass, which is made up of muscles, bones, and internal organs.
  • Electrical resistance test. A low voltage electrical current is passed through the body. Because fat, muscle, and water create different resistances, the result is used to calculate body composition.

However, although measuring body composition is useful for checking the results of a diet or changes in your body, you should know that the dynamics of changes from one test to the next is more important than the results of a single test. The fact is that all the obtained values ​​​​are passed through formulas built on certain premises about the structure of the human body, which are not necessarily accurate when it comes to professional bodybuilders. Therefore, if after the first test you got a result of 12% body fat, and after two weeks 9%, then you can be quite sure that you are moving in the right direction. In this case, you need to make sure that the testing conditions in both cases were the same, so the result has a high degree of reliability.

You often hear ridiculous claims about body fat testing; for example, some athletes claim to have as little as 3% body fat. Any doctor will tell you that 3% is a level of body fat more like a corpse than a strong, healthy athlete. Tests that are carried out during MFB competitions using various methods convincingly show that the highest percentage of body fat is characteristic of participants with the most massive physique. Therefore, the most massive bodybuilder can have 12% body fat and be in excellent athletic shape, and a beginner with an ectomorphic body type can look decent at 7-9% body fat.

Why is this happening? Because fat in the traditional sense of the word is not the only adipose tissue that is present in our body. There are intermuscular fat layers; fat is also found in the muscles themselves. If a really massive bodybuilder diets for too long, then his muscles will shrink and lose weight rather than gain more relief. So while testing is very helpful, don't forget to use a mirror or photographs to keep track of your appearance. During the competition, the judges do not take into account the results of body fat tests. They only judge what they see, and you should follow suit.published

The human body has its own unique characteristics - weight, shape, proportions. It is customary to distinguish the main body types. Although each person has it at the genetic level, it can be corrected in childhood. The structure of the body and its features should be considered during the selection of diets and training.

Body types

Types of figures are divided into several systems. One of the famous German doctors managed to find the relationship between psychological characteristics and characteristics of the somatotype. Kretschmer names three body types:

  • asthenic;
  • normosthenic;
  • hypersthenic.

Owners of one or another configuration are not always satisfied with their own figure. If desired and following simple recommendations, it is possible to change your own appearance, making the male and female physique slimmer and more perfect. In some cases, you need to change your eating habits, and sometimes you need to switch to a healthy lifestyle. The sooner you start working on yourself, the sooner you will be pleased with the results.


Asthenic physique

Representatives of this type of figure are distinguished by:

  • thinness;
  • long thin neck;
  • flat chest;
  • narrow shoulders;
  • elongated thin limbs;
  • long face;
  • thin nose;
  • above average growth.

Those with a slender physique have poorly developed muscles, therefore they are not very hardy and strong. The advantage of such people can be called their vigor, lightness, grace. Women with such a figure are often in the center of attention of the opposite sex, because they look fragile and feminine. In addition, asthenics never suffer from overweight in their lives, because they are not inclined to be overweight. The metabolism of such people is very fast, which prevents the deposition of fatty tissues.

Normosthenic physique

Normostenics are characterized by:

  • proportional figure;
  • slender legs;
  • thin waist.

Often, the fair sex with this body constitution is of medium height. Such ladies have good coordination, are distinguished by speed and sharpness. Men with an athletic build have well-developed muscles, a strong and well-formed skeleton, a convex chest, and proportional legs. In sports, it is better for normosthenics to give preference to basketball, volleyball, tennis and water aerobics. Owners of this configuration enjoy the attention of representatives of the opposite sex.


Hypersthenic physique

Representatives of this constitution have:

  • wide heavy bones;
  • large shoulders;
  • wide chest;
  • slightly shortened limbs.

The growth of such people is below average. Nature endowed them with strength and endurance, but saved them from flexibility and grace. For this reason, the owners of such a figure should choose sports disciplines that will help them remove their shortcomings. Among such sports are yoga, martial arts, callanetics. People with a dense physique have a very slow metabolism, so they often have problems with. They can cope with their imperfections by opting for a healthy lifestyle.


Body types according to Sheldon

The famous American psychologist and numismatist Herbert Sheldon suggests that a person's physique can determine his temperament. However, this dependence is hidden, and it is possible to reveal the relationship between the physical and mental by highlighting certain properties. Using the photographic technique he developed and anthropometric calculations, the psychologist was able to describe the main body types of a person:

  • endomorphy;
  • mesomorphy;
  • ectomorphy.

mesomorph body type

The mesomorph is distinguished by the following characteristics:

  • natural muscles;
  • no fat;
  • massive body;
  • thick bones;
  • voluminous muscles.

Such people have the best chance of becoming successful in bodybuilding. A person with a normal physique has excellent potential for growth and gaining muscle strength. Representatives of this species are usually classified into ectomorphs and endomorphs. For this reason, not every one of them can build up equally sculpted beautiful muscles.


Endomorph body type

Endomorphs are distinguished from all others by:

  • rounded, soft body;
  • high percentage of adipose tissue;
  • small shoulders;
  • short limbs;
  • pear-shaped body type.

People with a strong physique have a slow metabolism. They tend to be overweight and therefore gain weight very easily, and in order to lose kilograms they have to work hard on themselves. Among the owners of this constitution are many pop stars and actresses. However, even rounded shapes do not spoil them, but emphasize the merits of an attractive and extraordinary appearance. Physical activity and will help them become slimmer and more perfect.


Ectomorph body type

Ectomorphs have the following differences:

  • thinness;
  • long, thin bones;
  • skinny muscles;
  • little fat.

People with these body types are rarely seen in the gym, because they are the least predisposed to bodybuilding. If you ever manage to notice a person with a thin physique in the gym, then this will be a rare exception. Among them, most of all are such people who have certain physical features that allow them to pump their body, making it stronger and more attractive.


How to determine body type

It is not so difficult to find out which of the above body types the body constitution belongs to. The definition of physique is calculated by the size of the girth of the wrist. For a man of average height, the following scale is taken into account: when the indicator is in the range of 15-17.5 cm, this will be a sign of a fragile bone foundation, 17.5-20 cm - medium, and above 20 cm - powerful. The circumference of the wrist is proportional to the circumference of the ankle, which is five or six centimeters larger.

However, there are people whose lower half of the body is more massive than the upper. In this case, the wrist in girth will be 16.5 cm, and the ankle - 25 cm. And it also happens that the ankles do not differ from the wrists. Whatever the results of the calculations, there is no need to be upset, because they still do not say that a person will not be able to achieve certain heights in sports. The only thing is that you have to work a little more on yourself. You need to believe in yourself and that you can change, no matter what level you have to start from.

The physique and figure of a person. The human figure and its visual analysis.

Why do you need a body type?

Body type is what will happen to a person all his life. The type of physique dictates the style of clothing, its styles and even colors. In women, the course of pregnancy and the estimated course of childbirth depend on the type of physique. According to the type of physique, we can talk about a tendency to be overweight, or vice versa, the absence of such a predisposition.

Athletic trainers also look at body type. For asthenics, running, swimming, skiing, biathlon is suitable, and in sports where jerky is important, power loads are preferable to have a hypersthenic constitution.

The relationship between body type and character, temperament, social behavior and metabolism in the human body has been proven.

The role of body type is great. However, you should not make it dominant. Moderate physical activity is necessary for health, and fitness classes will strengthen the spine and achieve body shaping.

Terminology.

It is necessary to distinguish between the medical term - "physique" and colloquial (everyday, ordinary, commonplace) - "figure". The term figure is used in colloquial speech, modeling, clothing manufacturing, sports, physical education and fitness.

The concept of physique includes the constitution, height and mass of a person.

Body type (habitus) - sizes, shapes, proportions and features of body parts, as well as features of the development of bone, adipose and muscle tissues.

"Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language" edited by prof. D. N. Ushakova gives the definition: BODY TYPE, I, pl. No, cf.(book). The addition of the body, the figure of a person. Slim t. Weak t

FIGURE (lat. figura - appearance - image) - the outline of the human body, physique.

Each person has an individual figure within the framework of the constitution. A variant of the figure is formed not depending on gender, but depending on the ratio of growth, skeletal structure and deposition of subcutaneous fat.

Initially, it is necessary to attribute the figure to one of the types of the human constitution.

There are three main types of constitution, according to V.M. Chernorutsky (1884-1957, therapist, academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences).

CONSTITUTION MAN A functional and morphological features of the organism, formed on the basis of hereditary and acquired properties and determining the reactivity of the organism to various (including pathogenic) influences. Structure and

the functional features of the organism in different people can be similar to some extent, which allows us to talk about the types of constitution.

The asthenic type is characterized by a significant predominance of longitudinal dimensions over transverse ones, limbs - over the body, chest over the abdomen.

Hypersthenic type - the predominance of the transverse dimensions of the body. The body is relatively long. The limbs are short. Belly of considerable size.

The normosthenic constitution is distinguished by a proportional physique. Occupies an intermediate position between asthenic and hypersthenic types.

Medical classification of body types.

(medical encyclopedic dictionary, 2001)

  1. Asthenic type. For people of this type of physique, the following features are characteristic: tall, long limbs, the presence of a small amount of subcutaneous fat, a relatively narrow chest, an oval face.
  2. athletic type. In representatives of the athletic body type, a small amount of subcutaneous fat is deposited, muscle tissue and bones of the skeleton are well developed. People of athletic body type have broad shoulders and large facial features, they have a well-developed "strong-willed" chin.
  3. Dysplastic type. These people are distinguished by a disproportionate ratio of sizes between individual parts of the body. In women with this type of physique, there may be some features of the figure characteristic of the male body.
  4. Picnic type. The main features of this type of physique are short stature, rounded head, short legs, arms, neck, broad chest. Also, people with a picnic body type are characterized by the presence of fatty deposits and a protruding belly.
  5. Leptosomal type from Greek. leptos thin, delicate + soma body. Cm. Physique is asthenic.

Classification of body types by body components.

Morphologically, the body of any person consists of a number of components that ensure vital activity in different environmental conditions. Conditionally in physique they can be divided into three main types: fat, muscle and bone.

Classification of body types according to bonecomponent.

  1. Thin-boned (asthenic) body type. In women with this body type, the limbs are long, the bones are thin, the neck is also long and thin, the muscles are relatively poorly developed. As a rule, representatives of the thin-boned type are light in weight; they are active, active, and even with enhanced nutrition, they gain weight slowly.
  2. Normal (normosthenic) body type. As a rule, they have a beautiful, proportionally folded figure. The main dimensions of the body differ in the correct ratio.
  3. Broad-boned (hypersthenic). In representatives of this body type, the transverse dimensions of the body are larger than in normosthenics and asthenics. They are distinguished by wide, thick and heavy bones; their shoulders, chest and hips are wide; legs are short. Women with this type of physique are the most prone to fullness.

Method for determining the type of constitution by the bone component.

Measure the circumference of the wrist of the working hand: in asthenics it is less than 16 cm, in normosthenics it is from 16 to 18.5 cm, in hypersthenics it is more than 18.5 cm.

Classification of body types according to the fat component.

The scheme of body types of women is built only on the basis of the characteristics of the degree of development and distribution of fat deposits in certain parts of the body, without taking into account the variability of other body features.

Yugoslav anthropologist B. Shkerli developed a special constitutional typology of fat deposition in women (Skerly B. et al., 1953). . The degree of fat deposits can be weak, medium and abundant.

He distinguishes three main and one additional body groups:

1st group- with a uniform distribution of fat deposits throughout the body.

In accordance with this, three types (options) of physique are distinguished: L - leptosomal (from the Greek. Leptos- thin) N - normal*(female figure on the left in the miniatures), R - rubensian

2nd group- with uneven distribution of fat deposits.

It includes two types: S- upper (from lat. Superior- upper), characterized by increased fat deposition in the upper body (above the waist),

And I- lower (from inferior- lower), characterized by increased fat deposition in the lower part of the body;

3rd group- also with an uneven distribution of fat deposits, mainly on the trunk or limbs.

With increased fat deposition on the body, a type is distinguished Tr (from lat. Truncus- torso:

with increased fat deposition on the limbs - type Ex (from lat. Extremes- limb).

4th group (additional)- with increased fat deposition in certain parts of the body,

for example, on the chest - type M (from lat. mother - female breasts:

on the hips, in the area of ​​the so-called skewers, - type T (from lat. trochanter- spit).

Rice. Body types of women according to B. Shkerli (1953)

Classification of body types by musclecomponent.

Scheme V.V. Bunaka is intended to determine the normal constitution in adult men and is not applicable to women. Constitutional features are rigidly defined.

Main features: the degree of development of fat deposition and the degree of development of muscles.

Additional Features: shape of the chest, abdomen and back.

Note. The length of the body, the bone component, as well as the features of the head and face are not taken into account in it.
Bunak V.V. distinguished three main body types and four intermediate ones. Intermediate options combine the features of the main types. The author singled out two more body types as indefinite.

The constitutional scheme of V.V. Bunaka (1941)
Types Characteristics
Main thoracic It is determined by the weak development of fat deposition and muscles. The chest in men of this type is flat or sunken. The abdomen is also sunken. The back is stooped.
Muscular Differs in the average development of the fatty component and strong relief muscles. The chest is cylindrical. The abdomen is straight. The back is normal or, more rarely, stooped.
Abdominal It has an increased development of the fat layer, while the muscles are moderately or poorly developed. The chest is conical in shape. The abdomen is convex. The back can be of different shapes - regular, straight or stooped.
Intermediate pectoral-muscular Similar to the chest type, but the chest is not as flat, and the muscles are quite well developed.
Muscular-thoracic It is similar to the muscular type, but differs from it by a low degree of fat deposition and a more flattened chest.
Musculo-abdominal It is similar to the muscular type, but differs in an increased degree of fat deposition and a more conical shape of the chest.
Abdominal muscular Similar to the abdominal type, but differs in a fairly well-developed musculature
indefinite Properly indefinite Any other body types that do not fit into the presented scheme by a combination of features. For example, thoracic (G-B) And abdominal-thoracic (B-D) with signs of both thoracic and abdominal types: poor muscle development, low fat deposition, while a swollen abdomen and a cylindrical chest can be characteristic.
anomalous A wide range of abnormal body types associated with certain pathologies that are obvious to the researcher (for example, dystrophy, dysplasia, pituitary obesity, hermaphroditism, and other pathological variants).

Advantage of the schemeV.V. Bunaka - allows you to fully and methodically correctly describe the continuous variability of the physique of men in the form of a small number of unified discrete types.

Flaws. A significant amount of information is lost. In practice, up to 30% of the subjects are classified as “indeterminate type”.

Classification of body types of women.

The scheme was proposed by I.B. talent in 1927. Specially designed to describe the constitution of women. The author singled out three groups of types, differing not only in morphological, but also in psychophysiological features. The author did not present the criteria for psychophysiological features.

The main features of constitutional types: body length, degree of fat deposition, muscle development, shape of the chest and abdomen, body proportions.

Construction principle: individual types are grouped into three groups:

  • leptosome constitutions- are characterized primarily by narrow complexity, the predominance of growth in length;
  • mesosomal constitutions- the main characteristic is medium - or wide, the predominance of growth in width;
  • megalosomal constitutions- differ primarily in massive build and large size, uniform growth in length and width.
1. Body types of women according to I.B. Talent. Talent, AND.B. New scheme of constitutional types of women AND.B. Talent// Kazan, honey. magazine -1927. No. 5. 548-557.
Groups Types Characteristics of types
Leptosomal (narrowly folded) Asthenic The body of asthenics is thin, with a narrow, long and flat chest, narrow shoulders and hips, stooped shoulders, and a sunken stomach. The arms and legs are skinny, when the legs are closed, there is free space between the thighs. Musculature and adipose tissue are very poorly developed.
According to the original description of Galant, the growth of asthenics is not high, but in reality, high growth is more common than low.
Typical facial features are narrowness, pallor, dryness, angularity, small chin.
Stenoplastic It differs from asthenic in greater fatness. At the same time, the proportions of the body are almost the same, but the fat and muscle components are more developed.
In practice, the growth of wall plastics is usually average or below average.
Sometimes, for a visual description of the stenoplastic type, they indicate that this is the type of Venus de Milo.
Mesosomal (medium and broad) mesoplastic The figure of such a woman has stocky proportions, broad shoulders and a pelvis. The bone and muscle components are developed significantly, but not excessively. The fat component is also moderately developed.
The growth of mesoplastics is usually average. To describe this type, the description is used - “woman worker”.
The face of mesoplastics, according to Galant, is rounded, wide, especially in the middle part, with a somewhat reduced lower jaw.
Picnic It is distinguished primarily by increased fat deposition. The limbs seem to be shortened due to the large thickness. The body is full, with a shortened neck, wide rounded shoulders, a cylindrical chest, a convex belly, and a wide pelvis. The legs are thick, the hips are closed.
Growth of picnics is usually average or below average.
The head and face of the picnickers are rounded.
Megalosomal (massive build) Subathletic It looks like stenoplastic, but noticeably differs in high growth, better development of muscles, athletic proportions while maintaining femininity.
The type is often found among photo models.
Athletic First of all, these women are characterized by a very powerful skeleton and strong muscles. The fat component, on the contrary, is very poorly developed.
The proportions of athletic women are more like men's - broad shoulders, a convex chest, a narrow pelvis, a large lower jaw.
The type is more common among professional athletes.
euryplastic Combines signs of an athletic type with increased fat deposition. Euriplastic women have broad shoulders, large stature and significant deposits of subcutaneous fat.
The description of the euryplastic type as a “female grenadier” is illustrative.

Classification of the physique of men and women according to E. Kretschmer.

The constitutional scheme of E. Kretschmer had a specific practical purpose - a preliminary diagnosis of mental pathology. He attached particular importance to the description of the head and face. They can be assessed at a glance at the first meeting with a potential patient. The face, according to E. Kretschmer, is "the hallmark of an individual constitution."

Kretschmer identified three main constitutional types: leptosomal (or asthenic), picnic and athletic.

E. Kretschmer's constitutional scheme
Type Main characteristics
Asthenic or leptosomal It is characterized by narrow complexity, which manifests itself in all parts of the body and types of tissues. Asthenic has narrow shoulders, pelvis, skinny neck, thin limbs. Due to such an elongated physique, the asthenic seems to be taller than he really is. The fat and muscle components are extremely poorly developed. There is practically no fat deposition in asthenics. The bones are also thin, but in relative terms, they appear to be the predominant component of the body. The chest is long, narrow and flat, with a sharp epigastric angle (formed by the lower ribs converging towards the sternum). The abdomen is thin, sunken or flat.
The face of asthenics is also narrow and elongated, with a weak “runaway” chin and a protruding nose. E. Kretschmer described in detail the shape of the nose of asthenics, for example, he spoke of its narrowness, a sharp lowered tip, which in reality is more of a racial rather than a constitutional feature.
Asthenic features develop in early childhood and remain constant at all ages. Neither in childhood nor in old age, asthenics do not show a tendency to accumulate fat or develop muscles. The specificity of this type, associated with sex, is manifested in a greater frequency of short stature among asthenic women.
Athletic It is characterized by a strong development of bone and muscle components.
The shoulders are wide, the chest is wide and convex. The epigastric angle is close to a straight line. The abdomen is elastic, with a pronounced muscle relief. In general, the body expands upward. The neck is massive, it seems even more massive due to the large development of the trapezius muscle. The bones are massive and thick, which is due to the significant development of muscles. The arms are somewhat elongated, with a large muscular relief. The growth of such people according to Kretschmer is average or above average.
The face of the athletes is rough, high, somewhat angular, with a pronounced bony relief. The superciliary arches are strongly developed, the cheekbones protrude, the lower jaw is wide with a large “strong-willed” chin. The nose is large, blunt.
According to Kretschmer, the characteristic athletic-type complex develops during puberty, and after 25 years it becomes even more distinct. The gender specificity of the type is manifested in the greater development of the fat component in women compared to men.
Picnic It is characterized by a tendency to fat deposition with a relatively weak development of the muscle and bone components.
The chest and belly of the picnic are large, wide and voluminous. The neck is short and thick. The body, on the other hand, is long. The chest is convex, noticeably expanding downwards, barrel-shaped. The epigastric angle is wide. The belly is thick. The arms and legs are short, plump, with poorly developed muscles. The face of picnics is wide, rounded, due to abundant subcutaneous fat it seems flattened. The forehead is wide and convex, the nose is of medium size, with a straight or concave back. The lower jaw appears wider due to plump cheeks.
The picnic type, in contrast to the asthenic and athletic, reaches full development only after 30 years, although the tendency to develop this type appears much earlier. Gender differences are in a slightly different distribution of fat on the body: in men, it is concentrated mainly on the arms, shoulders and, especially, in the abdomen, and in women - on the chest and hips.

Types of female physique according to Sheldon.

Body type A-shaped:

  • the shoulders are narrow, the pelvis is much wider;
  • the impression of a "heavy" lower body - full legs and buttocks;
  • a tendency to deposit fat below the waist (the upper body may even appear thin);
  • low metabolic rate (if you do not specifically follow the diet, weight quickly arrives).

* In the everyday classification corresponds to a pear-shaped figure or a triangle

Type of figure H-shaped:

  • wide or medium skeleton;
  • small chest;
  • visual impression of approximately the same width of the shoulders, waist and pelvis;
  • tendency to form fatty deposits in the abdomen and thighs;
  • moderate metabolic rate.

* In everyday classification, there corresponds a figure of the “rectangle” type.

Type of figure I-shaped:

  • thin skeleton;
  • gauntness;
  • weak muscles;
  • almost no body fat;
  • high metabolic rate (no matter how much you eat, you do not get fat).

Type of figure O-shaped:

  • wide bones;
  • wide pelvis and shoulders;
  • full hips, chest, arms;
  • a clear excess of body fat throughout the body;
  • low metabolism (weight gain even if you eat relatively little).

* In the everyday classification corresponds to the figure of the type "apple"

Type of figure T-shaped:

  • shoulders are broad, wider than the pelvis;
  • fat is deposited mainly on the trunk (back, chest, sides);
  • average metabolic rate (you only get fat if you start eating too much).

Type of figure X-shaped

  • medium bones;
  • the width of the shoulders is approximately equal to the width of the hips;
  • slim waist;
  • full chest;
  • fat deposits are formed on the buttocks and thighs;
  • average metabolic rate (weight gain with immoderate nutrition).

* In everyday classification corresponds to the "hourglass" figure.

figure typeV-shaped.

This is a male type of figure, but very often it is also characteristic of women: broad shoulders, narrow waist and hips, no priests. Breasts can be completely different sizes.

* In everyday classification, there corresponds a figure like “carrot” or “inverted” triangle.

Universal* classification of body types according to mathematical calculations.

Both for men and for women.

The French physician Pignet (M. Ch. J. Pignet, born in 1871) proposed the formula , according to which a quantity called the Pignet exponent is calculated.
Pinier index \u003d height - (body weight + chest circumference in the exhalation phase)
Height and chest circumference are taken for calculations in centimeters, and body weight in kilograms. Classification of body types according to Pignet.

The practical value of physique analysis.

Medical. Diagnosis of some diseases. Determination of the degree of suitability for a particular profession. Practical anthropology.

Physical education. Choice of sport. Fitness classes for targeted body shaping.

Manufacture of clothes and footwear.

Non-medical* classifications of varieties of male and female figures.

*- everyday, common, everyday, common, traditional, commonly used, everyday, everyday, communal, prosaic (non-poetic, everyday), practical, utilitarian (lat.utilita - utility), pragmatic

Variants and types of male and female figures.

The figures of men and women are divided into variants and types. Variants of figures are divided by height and completeness. Types of figures are divided according to the ratio of the transverse dimensions of the hips and chest in the frontal plane (projection), and in the sagittal plane (profile projection) according to the ratio of the anteroposterior diameters.

A simple (at a glance, by impression) classification of the main variants of the figure by height and fullness.

For men and women, regardless of age, they allocate four figure options: tall, short, fat, thin.

High andlow figures.

A tall figure is considered conditionally ideal (for men from 1.82m, for women from 1.72m). It corresponds to the main characteristic of the dolichomorphic body type of the human figure.

The most common figures are low growth brachymorphic body type (low stature for men below 1.72m and for women below 1.65m).

Types of male and female figures.

Allocate nine body types. Of these, three types are the main ones: top, balance and bottom. The remaining six types are combined, i.e. derivatives of basic types.

Philistine, object-analogue, figurative, "geometric-fruity" classification of the main types of male and female figures.

In men, four types are conditionally distinguished: “triangle”, “rectangle”, “pear”, “apple”.

"Triangle" - broad shoulders, abdominals, narrow waist, strong buttocks, legs with cast muscles. Such a figure (the “rolling” figure) resembles an isosceles triangle in its structure.

"Rectangle" - the shoulders are equal in width to the hips, the muscles (even trained ones) never look embossed, there is no excess weight. Ideally, a man with such a figure does not look frail and weak, usually dancers have such a constitution.

"Apple" - the shoulders are equal in width to the hips, and the whole figure has a rounded structure due to numerous extra pounds. The figure of the "apple" type has been manifested since childhood.

"Pear" - these are men who initially had a "rectangular" figure, but began to gain weight with age. The shoulders and hips are approximately equal in width, but a rounded tummy and fat folds around the waist are already appearing. In profile, the protruding belly is noticeable even from the back. This figure is formed by men between 30 and 50 years old who do not play sports and do not follow a diet.

The main types of female figures can also be divided into four types:

"Triangle" - a narrow pelvis and flat buttocks, the shoulders are noticeably wider than the hips, the legs are thin, if a woman recovers, then her arms and shoulders grow fat.

“Rectangle” is a strong, stocky body and slender legs, straight hips and flat buttocks, no matter how thin the woman is, the waist is indicated weakly.

"Pear" - a small, in comparison with the hips, bust, wide hips, narrow shoulders, thin neck. Growing fat, a woman of the "pear" type, rarely gets better in the shoulders and face.

"Hourglass" - the bust and buttocks are rounded, no matter how the woman gets better, the waist always remains and, no matter how thin, the hips remain curved.

"Carrot" is a masculine type of figure. Often characteristic of women. Broad shoulders, narrow waist and hips, no buttocks. Breasts can be completely different sizes.

Classification of types of female figures in the practice of nutritionists.

Gynecoid body type(gin-; gynoGreek. gyne-woman - an integral part of compound words meaning "related to a woman"; suffix - oid means "in shape"

Gynecoid type - a specifically female body type, is the most common,

A characteristic feature is a pear-shaped body, expanding towards the hips. Women have a wide pelvis. The buttocks are rounded, the hips protrude noticeably and can touch each other with internal surfaces. The rear usually sags a little.

The waist is narrow, which creates a feminine line.

The chest can be both small and large.

The shoulders are usually narrow or medium. The typical size of a gynecoid woman is 95-70-105.

The addition of her limbs is feminine. The bones of the wrist and lower leg are thin. The waist is narrow.

Women of the gynecoid type are more often of medium or small stature. Sometimes there are tall ones, but in proportion to the body, their arms and legs are not so long.

Fat is deposited primarily on the thighs, buttocks, chest, and then in the lower abdomen at the level of the pubic bone. Often, adipose tissue is uneven and lumpy, leading to a persistent cellulite effect.

Gynecoid women do not have problems with childbirth due to the fact that the bony pelvis is wider, more open and not high.

The gynecoid type usually gains weight quickly. In the body of a woman of the gynecoid type, a high level of estrogen. Some are produced in the ovaries. Large fat deposits are also a source of production of the hormone estrogen, which leads to the creation of new fat cells. It turns out a "vicious" circle.

Thyroid type of figure (thyroid-; thyroid -an integral part of compound words meaning "pertaining to the thyroid gland").

Women of the thyroid type are characterized by a slender figure and a “fragile” skeletal system. Their figure resembles "boyish", with a thin waist and slightly protruding buttocks and hips. They have rather long proportional limbs. Legs and arms are long. Legs are slender. They have long fingers and a slender neck. Women of this type are usually tall or seem tall because of their long legs.

The chest is small or medium.

Fat is mainly located in the abdomen and thighs, while the arms and legs remain slender.

The pelvis is evenly narrowed, which can create problems in childbirth.

By nature, thyroid women are excitable. They are characterized by increased motor activity, but quickly get tired. In terms of endurance, they are significantly inferior to women - androids.

Women of this type have difficulty gaining excess weight and have an increased metabolic rate.

They often look "fragile". The bone skeleton is easily visible through a thin layer of subcutaneous fat. Therefore, outwardly they look somewhat “bony”. Usually their collarbones protrude sharply.

They are very graceful and can be both athletes (often sprinters or basketball players) and dancers or fashion models. Their flexibility can be compared to that of a willow tree.

Lymphatic type of figure (lymph -; lympho-;lat . lymphapure water-; an integral part of compound words meaning "pertaining to the lymphatic vessels»).

Women of the lymphatic type are prone to fullness of the whole body. Outwardly, it looks like a "pillow-shaped" swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This is due to the structural features of the connective tissue as a whole and blood circulation in the venous and lymphatic systems, up to lymphostasis. Hands and feet become "columnar". The wrists and elbows are often thick and swollen. Shoulders, chest and chest of medium size. Belly protrudes. The body is everywhere the same thickness. The waist does not stand out. Buttocks almost do not protrude.

The skeleton and muscles are poorly palpable due to a thick layer of fat, swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and reduced muscle tone.

With obesity, fat is distributed throughout the body - arms, legs, buttocks, torso, neck and even face.

Girls of this type in childhood resemble baby dolls or pretty cupids.

Metabolic processes in women of the lymphatic type proceed slowly. This leads to rapid weight gain.

Many women of the lymphatic type lead a passive or sedentary lifestyle. Sports have been avoided since childhood. By constitution, they cannot move quickly. They lack physical stamina.

Android body type (andro -;Greek androsman.An integral part of compound words meaning "pertaining to a man", "male").

Android women are characterized by a strong, powerful skeletal base, broad shoulders, a developed chest and muscular limbs. The neck and torso are powerful and wide, and the pelvis, on the contrary, is narrow, so the figure of an android woman is often quite even and straight. The pelvis and buttocks are at a low level. Narrow hips and a wide waist are usually the same in volume.

Outwardly, they look like a father or older brothers. These women are quite attractive and downright full of health.
They have a wide bone and large well-developed muscles. At the same time, their body fat is much less than that of other women.
The breasts can be small, medium or large, but with “apple-obese” they become huge due to the accumulation of fat.
Android women are prone to rapid weight gain, especially in adulthood. With the onset of obesity, fat is located in the upper body above the pelvis. As a result, the neck, thoracic to the notch, waist and abdomen thicken - the so-called "apple-type obesity" occurs. Due to excessive deposition of fat on the anterior abdominal wall, a false effect of pregnancy can even be created. Despite this, the hips and legs remain lean and muscular. If the weight continues to increase, the fat layer can also go down to the thighs in the form of a "rim".

Female androids are "tailored" to the male type. Often achieve great success in those sports that require strength and endurance (bodybuilding, swimming, long-distance running, hammer throwing, lifting the barbell).

Cosmetic problems of women of the android type are manifested in excessive hair growth of the face and body and acne, as a result of increased activity of male hormones.

Classification of types of women's figures in the clothing industry.

Proposed by Valentina Emelyanovna Bochkareva.

Frontal types of female figures.

The figures of women are divided into nine types according to the image of the torso (torso-trunk of a person) in the front (in the horizontal plane). The typical figure is considered average.* (on the thumbnails it is on the left)

According to the width of the shoulders and chest, the figures are narrow and wide. characterized by a consistent decrease in the length of the shoulder slopes and the width of the chest in front, she refers to narrow, and vice versa, figures characterized by a consistent increase in the length of the shoulder slopes and the width of the chest, to wide.

Rice. Body types of women according to V.E. Bochkareva

The first type includes figures, which differ from the typical narrow chest, which has the same frontal width in the upper and lower parts. The straight lateral line of the torso abruptly passes from the waist to the pelvic bone, which therefore appears wide. The width of the chest at the level of the shoulder joints is small.

Figures of the second type differ from the typical spindle-shaped torso, in it the bulge of the pelvic bone and chest merge into a single oval. The upper and middle parts of the chest are narrowed. The sides of the torso are convex. The pelvic bone is not clearly expressed due to the bulge in the places of the lateral depressions. The volume of the hips is slightly less than that of a typical figure.

Third type- a figure of the so-called girlish physique. In frontal width at the level of the chest and hips, it is closer to the typical one, but slightly narrower than it. The contour of the pelvic bone retains relief due to lateral depressions and a narrowed chest, but the volume of the hips is less than that of a typical figure. The width of the upper chest at the level of the shoulder joints is medium or small.

to the fourth type refers to the typical figure.

Figure of the fifth type in frontal width at the level of the chest and the line of the hips, it is close to the typical one and only slightly wider than it. It is characterized by non-relief pronounced lateral contours. The width in the upper part of the chest at the level of the shoulder joints is medium or large.

For figures of the sixth type characterized by expansion in the upper and middle parts of the chest. Lateral depressions at the waist and protrusions of the hips appear slightly. In the front, this figure is of the same width at the levels of the armpits and the extended part of the hips.

Figure of the seventh type in front has the same width at the level of the armpits and the waistline. It differs from the typical straightness of the side contour to the waist line. There are no hollows on the waistline and sides. The contours of the femoral lines are expressed slightly.

to the eighth type refers to the figure of an athletic build, which differs from the typical wide chest. There are small lateral depressions along the waist line. The pelvic part is expressed in relief.

to the ninth type refers to a figure with a wide upper part of the torso, the same width in front at the level of the armpits and the waist line, and a reduced width at the level of the hip line.

Median (sagittal) types of female figures.

According to the geometric shape of the chest.

Additionally, the chest of a female figure is evaluated by its geometric shape, resembling a cone or cylinder.

KONUS, a, husband. A geometric body formed by the rotation of a right triangle around one of its legs.

When depicted in front, the chests of female figures are divided into conical with a cone facing upwards (type 2), conical with a cone facing downwards (types 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8), and cylindrical (1, 7 and 9th types).

According to the development of the mammary glands.

When depicted in profile, the chests of female figures are proposed to be divided into rounded and flat.

Anthropomorphological classification of types of figures of women (1965).

Developed by the Central Experimental and Technical Sewing Laboratory (TsOTSHL) according to the degree of development of muscles and fat deposits, the nature of their distribution throughout the body in the frontal and profile projections in the chest and hips.

According to the ratio of the transverse diameters of the hips and chest in the frontal projection (in frontal view), three types of figures are distinguished: balanced, upper and lower. According to the ratio of the anteroposterior diameters of the hips and chest in the profile projection (in side view), three types are also distinguished. In total, according to the combination of types of figures in the frontal and profile projections, nine types of figures are distinguished: three main and six combined (for example, a figure of an equilibrium type in front and an upper side, etc.).

Figures of men and women in the State Standards.

For the needs of the clothing industry, various schemes of body types for men, women and children have been developed.

GOST R 52774-2007 - Classification of typical male figures by height, size and weight groups for clothing design

Classification of typical figures of women by height, size and weight groups for designing clothes

Nameeng.: Classification standard women’s figures by heights, sizes and full-bodied groups for projection of clothes

In various years, 509 typical figures were allocated for the female population of the SEF, for the USSR (1967) - 253 typical figures. For men, similar studies have not been conducted.

According to GOST 2007, 356 typical figures of women and 301 types of figures of men are established.

In pursuit of a “glossy” appearance, an increasing number of people are striving to change something in themselves: lose weight, gain muscle mass, acquire more attractive body proportions, etc. At the same time, many do not realize that the features of the human constitution are genetically therefore, before correcting it, you need to know what human somatotypes are, and which one you belong to.

The choice of typology is a matter of taste

Every person's body is unique. However, there are many techniques that allow you to identify the main types of physiques, which are not only similar in appearance, but also react to various environmental factors with similar changes in the constitution.

The most well-known classifications include:

Typology according to body proportions

In accordance with it, all people can be divided into the following types.

  1. Dolichomorphic, which includes people of high stature with long limbs, poorly developed muscles and a slight fat layer.
  2. Brachymorphic, under the definition of which fall representatives of the stronger and weaker sex, whose longitudinal dimensions are inferior to the transverse ones. They are characterized by short stature and well-developed muscles. Even the internal organs of such a person can be wider than long.
  3. Mesomorphic - type with the most "ideal" proportions, close to the average values.

This division is important not only from an aesthetic point of view. According to experts, the more there are deviations in the proportions of the body of men or women, the higher the likelihood of chromosomal disruptions and disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system.

Sheldon classification

According to the methodology developed by Professor W. Sheldon, a person's somatotype is determined by a combination of assessments of individual components of his physique. Based on this, he identified three main constitutional types.

  1. The mesomorph is distinguished by broad shoulders, a developed chest and strong muscles. The content of subcutaneous fat is small, the mass is dominated by muscles and bones.
  2. Ectomorph characterizes tall thin people with a small percentage of adipose tissue and poorly developed muscles. They are distinguished by elongated parts of the body, which is especially evident in the structure of the limbs, chest and face. The likelihood of overweight in this type is minimal.
  3. Endomorph can "boast" a heavy figure with a high content of subcutaneous fat, a significant part of which is concentrated in the shoulder girdle and the abdomen and pelvis. The limbs of such a person are weak, with flaccid muscles. Endomorphs are genetically prone to obesity, so they have the hardest time in the struggle for ideal forms.

Sheldon's technique has become widespread among people involved in sports. Based on the somatotype of a person, an individual set of trainings is selected for him in combination with a special diet.

Typology of E. Kretschmer

This German doctor in the course of his research revealed a clear influence of different body constitutions on the psychological characteristics of a person. Based on the systematization he proposed, the following body types are distinguished.

  1. Asthenik is a thin person with elongated body proportions and taller than average. His face is usually elongated and his bones are thin. He, as a rule, is constantly immersed in thought processes and is distinguished by a rich imagination and excellent self-organization. Representatives of this type tend to choose creative professions.
  2. Athletics are people with narrow hips, broad shoulders, well-developed muscles and average height. They are characterized by a love of order, a penchant for self-discipline and good organizational skills.
  3. Picnics are a category of people who are usually overweight. Common features include short stature, a figure with a "blurred" contour, a thick neck and a broad face. But on the other hand, for the most part, they are good-natured and merry fellows who love communication.

Classification according to Chernorutsky

This is the most common division of constitutional types, which modern medicine often focuses on.

  1. Asthenics. Representatives of this physique are distinguished by thin bones, high growth and long limbs. They have a narrow chest, the dimensions of which clearly predominate over the volume of the abdomen. Such people are characterized by an insufficient content of subcutaneous fat in combination with poorly developed muscles. It is quite difficult to increase it due to the accelerated metabolism. But thanks to this, the deposition of excess fat is also unlikely.
  2. Normostenik is a person with good body proportions, a strong skeleton, broad shoulders and well-developed muscles. The ratio of muscle and adipose tissue is within the average norms. If desired, such people can quickly and effectively change their weight and build muscle.
  3. Hypersthenic - characterized by a "dense" physique, short stature, an oval chest and a short neck. They are characterized by a high percentage of subcutaneous fat and high blood cholesterol. Representatives of this type are prone to rapid and uncontrolled weight gain, which is difficult to correct.

How to find out your type of constitution

Before you start taking measures to change your body, you need to find out which somatotype you belong to. So how do you determine your body type? To do this, there are several simple methods.

Pillier index

In this case, it is necessary to subtract the sum of the chest circumference and body weight from the height and evaluate the result. If it is more than 25, feel free to classify yourself as an asthenic type. An indicator of less than 10 indicates a hypersthenic physique. Well, if the value is in the range of 10-25, then the person is normosthenic.

"Female" way

This method is suitable mainly for girls and is based on an assessment of the height and length of the legs of the fair sex.

Women with a height of 168 to 173 cm and above are asthenics. But for normosthenics and hypersthenics, growth does not exceed 165-170 cm.

Additionally, it is recommended to measure the length of the legs from the protrusion of the femur to the heel and compare it with a value equal to half the height. If the leg length is more than 6 cm more than this indicator, you belong to the asthenic type. When it is exceeded by 4-6 cm - to normosthenic, up to 4 cm - to hypersthenic.

Wrist measurement

Perhaps the easiest way to determine your type of constitution is by the wrist, the circumference of which must be measured on the working hand. The result will tell you what physique is typical for you:

  • for hypersthenics or endomorphs, the obtained value is more than 17 cm in the weaker sex and 20 cm in the strong half;
  • in asthenics (ectomorphs), the indicator should not exceed 15 and 18 cm for women and men, respectively;
  • normosthenic or mesomorph has intermediate results of wrist circumference.

When determining your somatotype, it should be remembered that pronounced representatives of a particular constitution are quite rare. As a rule, most people have mixed body types with a predominance of one.