Racial influences on somatype

[deuceswild]

Just wondering what people think about the idea that racial (or sub-racial) background has an influence on your somatype. Or, would somatype be more influenced by personal genetics rather than racial background.

I know that many people of Meditteranean background seem slightly built, leaning towards ectomorphism rather than a mesomorphic build. There are some exceptions (Sylvester Stallone, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu), but generally speaking they don't put on much muscle mass. Nordics can get pretty big, noting the fact that strongman contests are dominated by Scandinavians.

For non-Caucasoid populations, you notice that people of African heritage also show some variable somatypes. I know that east africans are as a rule ectomorphic, while individuals from western Africa are much larger and stronger. You don't see too many Asian mesomorphs either, and they tend to be either ectomorphic or endomorphic. I know these are rough generalizations and that most people are a combination of two somatypes rather than falling into a strict categorization. As a personal anecdote, I've always thought of myself as being pretty mesomorphic and after training for 6 years I found that muscle hypertrophy came quite naturally for me.

[buddyrydell]

These observations sound correct to me. I think the incidence of greater mesomorphy in Mediterranean populations indicates dinaricization, which is why I've seen greater numbers of stocky and/or muscular Italians or Greeks as opposed to Spaniards or Portuguese (although there are exceptions, such as yourself ). This being the case, many Italians and Greeks are also quite slender due to the Mediterranean element. Everyone in my family is slender so I was pretty much predestined for that LOL. My dad, who's 100% Sicilian, was like me at 20 yrs. of age, and that is 160 lbs. maximum. My mom's side, which is a European mix, has mostly slender people as well. Though, as people age, they fill out, so you never know.

The larger bone structure of many Germans and eastern Europeans allows them to obtain greater muscle mass in shorter periods of time. I suppose many Scandinavians exhibit similar characteristics whereas it seems to vary for people of British/Irish descent as they have a wider range of physical types in their populations.

The Olympics suggest that East Africans dominate track and field due to the ectomorphic builds you described, though West Africans have been consistent as well. Amongst African-Americans, most of whom are of West African descent, the dominant types seem, strangely enough, to be very big and muscular or quite small and slender. Most East Asians are definitely slight in build from my experience though stockier types are not unknown.

[deuceswild]

This being the case, many Italians and Greeks are also quite slender due to the Mediterranean element. Everyone in my family is slender so I was pretty much predestined for that LOL.

Consider yourself lucky . Chances are that you'll never have to worry about getting a gut since you're naturally lean. I've kept my bodyfat percentage at around 10-12% for years now, but I know for a fact that if I didn't watch what I eat that I would end up looking like shit. The only drawback of being an ectomorph is that it's quite difficult to put on muscle mass. It's not impossible, there's just more work involved than say a mesomorph.

Though, as people age, they fill out, so you never know.

That's true enough. For example, my brother has always had a lean build, and so he had the "six-pack" going all throughout his teens. Then, when he was 17 he started working at McDonalds, and that sort of took it's toll on him. He isn't fat, he just doesn't have his six-pack anymore.

The larger bone structure of many Germans and eastern Europeans allows them to obtain greater muscle mass in shorter periods of time.

Big bones are pretty important in strength training, but the more important factor is the type of muscle fibre that predominates in the individual. Everyone has type I fibres (slow-twitch, used in endurance events) and type II fibres (fast-twitch, short and intense bursts of power). However, hereditary factors play a role in determining which type of muscle fibre predominates. I think that the type of muscle fibre which makes up an individual is infuenced by ethnic heritage.

though stockier types are not unknown.

Now that you mention it, I think that Mongolians are pretty stocky. So are the Japanese to a certain extent. Southeast Asians (Thais, Vietnamese, etc.) are more ectomorphic.

I played rugby a few years ago, but it was pretty surprising to me at the time when it was obvious that I was stronger than many guys who had a northern European heritage. Then again, I got knocked up pretty good by those guys too.
Two concussions, a broken rib and a broken thumb....all in a days work I guess. ;D

[nordicyouth]

Yes, certainly during ancient times Slavs were physically larger then Germans, except that later on the latter had better nutrition due to prosperity, etc. I don't know what I am, because my mother is Polish and my father is English and I have his tall and slim frame, combined with broad shoulders and chest - kind of strange.

[deuceswild]

I have his tall and slim frame, combined with broad shoulders and chest - kind of strange.

It isn't strange to me. Keep in mind that most people are a combination of two somatypes, so having the qualities of two body types isn't that odd. Sounds to me like you could possibly be a meso-ectomorph.

[IranianLion]

Aren't the best weightlifters in the world from Mediterranean (and related) countries?

[Vitor]

Aren't the best weightlifters in the world from Mediterranean (and related) countries?

East...not west!

there are radical diferences between this 2 races (although still close)

I could be wrong, but I believe the genetic distance from nordics to western mediterraneans is shorter, than that of western mediterraneans with east mediterraneans...

I have slim bones, but I have something curious, very strong legs (coupled with an wide chest), I mean, If I look to a normal african leg, it looks week at the knees ...
My knees are usually 1.5 times larger than that of most africans

nevertheless I have slim bones...only my knees are larger.
I already fall (2 meters fall) and broke a cimented vase with my knees, nothing peculiar hapened...I broke that vase...
If it didn't brake it I would probably broken something...that dissipated the energy I guess.

[Melnorme]

IranianLion said:

Aren't the best weightlifters in the world from Mediterranean (and related) countries?

Here, just read this.

www.isteve.com/HoF-SizeDoesMatter.htm

[Gus Morea]

I notice that the endomorph (pear shaped; small head, with fatty thighs and arse) seems more common in Eastern Europe and Near East.

I'm definitely no endomorph. Recently I lost 40 lbs, and had never realized how slender my frame actually is, so I guess I lean towards an ectomorph. My limbs are long for my height, and they're narrow. Most American-made clothes don't fit me, and I have to spend extra money on European-made stuff or "slim fit" etc. models, especially for dress shirts.

My shoulders are pretty big, at least, and I'm a lot stronger than people think, so I'm probably a little mesomorphic too. I'm Greek, BTW, but most Greeks I've seen seem to lean toward being mesomorphs.

deuceswild said:

Just wondering what people think about the idea that racial (or sub-racial) background has an influence on your somatype. Or, would somatype be more influenced by personal genetics rather than racial background.

I know that many people of Meditteranean background seem slightly built, leaning towards ectomorphism rather than a mesomorphic build. There are some exceptions (Sylvester Stallone, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu), but generally speaking they don't put on much muscle mass. Nordics can get pretty big, noting the fact that strongman contests are dominated by Scandinavians.

For non-Caucasoid populations, you notice that people of African heritage also show some variable somatypes. I know that east africans are as a rule ectomorphic, while individuals from western Africa are much larger and stronger. You don't see too many Asian mesomorphs either, and they tend to be either ectomorphic or endomorphic. I know these are rough generalizations and that most people are a combination of two somatypes rather than falling into a strict categorization. As a personal anecdote, I've always thought of myself as being pretty mesomorphic and after training for 6 years I found that muscle hypertrophy came quite naturally for me.

[buddyrydell]

I have a slim frame at approximately 6' in height and 155-160 lbs in weight, but my shoulders and back are somewhat wider than many other slender people. I have a feeling that if I were to lift regularly (something I will try when I go back to school this year), I could possibly gain some muscle. Deuceswild, what do you think here? Does this indicate a mix of ectomorphic and mesomorphic types?

As I mentioned earlier, my dad is pretty similar to me in body type, and at my age, stood at about 6'1" and around 160 lbs. However, he filled out a bit with age and is now about 185 lbs. if I remember correctly. For reference, my dad is best characterized as a Dinaricized Mediterranean. His thinner build was countered by a larger back and wider shoulders. My paternal grandparents were similar in somatype though my grandmother was much shorter.

My mother, on the other hand, is about 5'8" and 115 or so lbs. She inherited her very ectomorphic somatype from my Italian/German grandmother, whereas my maternal grandfather, of British/Irish heritage, was thin but solid and muscular and stands at roughly 5'8". My mother is best described as a Keltic Nordic/Brunn mix.

Well, I obviously said too much LOL, but I would appreciate any input, especially from Deuceswild, whom I would like to thank for picking me as one of his favorite posters
;D.

[deuceswild]

Vitor,

Check out this link, you'll like the information.

www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ronharris16.htm

Buddyrydell,

Deuceswild, what do you think here? Does this indicate a mix of ectomorphic and mesomorphic types?

It's difficult to say. I think it's possible, but you won't know for sure until you begin a comprehensive training program. Judging from that pic you posted on another thread I would say you're probably a pure ectomorph, but I could be wrong.

I've seen some surprisingly strong ectomorphs. Keep in mind that strength isn't nessecarily correlated with large muscles. Tendons, ligaments and center of gravity, along with other factors, all play a role in overall strength. Type II muscle fibres are the types of fibres that hypertrophy, while Type I fibres more or less stay the same size. You have intermediate muscles fibres (Type IIa) that contribute to endurance, but they can also hypertrophy, depending on how you train.

Powerlifters train differently from so-called bodybuilders (I hate that word ). Bodybuilders have a rep scheme that falls within the 6-8 rep range, while powerlifters fall below six reps. Powerlifters are incredibly strong, but they don't have the bodybuilder physique since they tend to have higher bodyfat levels. Just for the record, endomorphs can be just as strong as mesomorphs. Here's a picture of Bill Hatfield (Dr. Squat) squating 1014 pounds:



Now that is some scary shit. I think that I would probably fuse my entire spinal column or blow out my knees if I attempted something like that. I was squatting 500 pounds for months up until a year and a half ago. I injured my L5 vertebrae, though it was nothing serious. Haven't squatted since, although I still leg press and hack squat. On the one hand I want to get squatting again, but on the other hand I'm apprehensive about re-injuring myself. You got to know your limits.

If you do plan on working out, I can't stress this enough...work your legs heavy and hard. Legs are the largest muscles in your body, and by working them you create an anabolic rebound throughout your entire body. And squat, squat squat. The single best exercise you can do. Quads and hamstrings are your primary target, but you also use your chest, shoulders, lats, triceps, biceps, etc. to stabilize that weight.

[buddyrydell]

Hey thanks a lot, I appreciate the advice. That Dr. Hatfield is friggin' insane!!

[Vitor]

thanks deuceswild...

hum...
so I have jumbo joints on my knees...
the problem is I am bird like in the rest of the other joints...

[deuceswild]

That Dr. Hatfield is friggin' insane!!

I wouldn't say he's insane, just very confident in his ability. Here's him deadlifting 605 pounds for reps:



BTW, he's only 5"6. But, that works to his advantage since shorter people have the benefit of having to work less (leverage, center of gravity) than a taller person. A taller individual is usually at a mechanical disadvantage since their connective tissue comes under more extreme stress.

hum...
so I have jumbo joints on my knees...
the problem is I am bird like in the rest of the other joints...

My wrists are quite small relative to my other major joints (elbows, knees, shoulders).

[Vitor]

obviously you are my cousin...

My wrists are quite small relative to my other major joints

I also have big fingers but very thin...