Somatotype characteristics of male adolescents with orthopedic disabilities in Northern India

Somatotype classification, a concept introduced by W.H. Sheldon in 1940, categorizes human body types into three main groups: endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs. This categorization has potential implications for understanding the relationship between body structure and orthopedic disabilities, which can significantly impact a child's physical and educational development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the somatotype characteristics of school-going children with orthopedic disabilities and determine how these disabilities affect somatotype distribution. Twenty-five (25) male children with orthopedic disabilities (mean age 16.60±0.76 years) were recruited from the Ahmadi blind school in Aligarh, India. All data for this study were collected between October and December 2024. Anthropometric measurements included..."Twenty-five (25) male children with orthopedic disabilities (mean age 16.60±0.76 years) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements included stretch stature, body mass, four skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, supraspinal, medial calf), two bone breadths (bi-epicondylar humerus and femur), and two limb girths (arm flexed and tensed, calf). The somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method, with the calculations performed through the Somatotype 1.2.6 software (MER Goulding Software Development, Geeveston, Australia). The study revealed that 68% of the participants were classified as ectomorphic-mesomorphs, 8% as balanced mesomorphs and mesomorphic ectomorphs, 12% as endomorphic-mesomorphs, and 4% as mesomorph-ectomorphs. The data indicated that orthopedic disabilities influence somatotype characteristics, with the affected population showing the highest mesomorphy, lowest ectomorphy, and very low endomorphy compared to a non-disabled North Indian population. This study shows that children with orthopedic disabilities mostly exhibit an ectomorphic-mesomorph 2.1 – 4.3 – 3.8 somatotype, with higher musculoskeletal development and lower fat content. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of these findings. The observed differences in somatotype between disabled and non-disabled groups suggest that orthopedic disabilities may impact body composition by fostering greater musculoskeletal development (mesomorphy) and lower relative adiposity (endomorphy)." orthopedic disabilities may impact body composition, further research involving larger and more diverse populations is essential.