Somatotype and body mass index as predictors of aerobic and anaerobic capacity in young women

Abstract

Physical performance served as a key indicator in assessing individual fitness, particularly among adolescent girls. Various factors, including somatotype and body mass index (BMI), played a role in determining anaerobic and aerobic capacity. Previous studies indicated that mesomorphs excelled in anaerobic activities, while ectomorphs demonstrated superiority in aerobic capacity. However, a research gap remained in specifically examining the combined influence of these two factors within the adolescent female population. Additionally, the impact of obesity on decreased physical performance gained attention due to the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. This study employed a quantitative approach by measuring somatotype and BMI in adolescent girls and analyzing their relationship with physical performance. Anaerobic performance was assessed using a 60-meter sprint test, whereas aerobic capacity was measured through the bleep test. The data were analyzed to identify patterns of relationships between body composition and physical performance test results. This study aimed to understand how somatotype and BMI influenced physical performance in adolescent girls, particularly in sprint speed and aerobic capacity. Furthermore, it sought to provide evidence-based recommendations for developing more effective training programs tailored to individual physiological characteristics. The findings indicated that individuals with an ectomorphic somatotype dominated aerobic performance in the bleep test and also performed relatively well in the 60-meter sprint, which was associated with an optimal strength-to-body-weight ratio. Mesomorphs tended to excel in the sprint test due to their higher muscle mass, which supported explosive power production. Conversely, individuals with an endomorphic somatotype exhibited lower physical performance in both anaerobic and aerobic capacity, attributed to greater body mass and lower cardiorespiratory efficiency. Additionally, individuals with normal BMI displayed better physical performance compared to those who were overweight or obese, who were generally classified in the "Very Poor" category for both performance tests. This study confirmed that somatotype and BMI played significant roles in determining physical performance among adolescent girls. Ectomorphs tended to have advantages in both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, while mesomorphs excelled in sprinting. A normal BMI was associated with optimal performance, whereas obesity negatively impacted physical capacity. These findings could serve as a foundation for coaches and fitness practitioners in designing more effective training programs tailored to individual characteristics. Further research was necessary to explore interventions that could optimize physical performance based on somatotype and BMI categories, as well as to understand the underlying physiological mechanisms behind these differences.