Comparison of somatotypes from various classification methods - Between 18 and 24 years old Korean Women -

The purpose of this study was to compare somatotypes from various classification methods, to analyze the interrelation among each somatotype or each high frequency type, and to suggest the basis to interpret body size and shape more accurately. As a sample, the subjects were 97 Korean females between 18 and 24 years old. They were measured both anthropometric and photographic measuring in November, 1999. Their somatotypes were classified by three kinds of classification methods. The first method was based on the lateral view of body, the second involved Factor and Cluster analysis with the photographic measurements of anterior and lateral body, and the third involved Factor and Cluster analysis with the anthropometric measurements of whole body. The upper body was classified into three types, and the lower body was classified into 6 types from the lateral view of body. The bend-forward/q-2 was found to be the 'High-frequency type from the lateral view of body', and the Straight/n-1 was found to be the 'Straight type from the lateral view of body'. From the classification by the analysis of photographic measurements, the anterior body was classified into three types, the lateral was classified into 4 types. The X/ type was found to be the 'High-frequency type from the analysis of photographic measurements of anterior and lateral body'. From the classification by the analysis of anthropometric measurements, the whole body was classified into three types. The i type was found to be the 'High-frequency type from the analysis of anthropometric measurements of whole body'. The significant interrelation was certified among some somatotypes or some High-frequency types. We found that both the view of body and the statistical analysis would make the clear definition of each somatotype possible. In order to certify the representativeness of High-frequency type, further analysis would be required of subjects who were in the High-frequency type and their body parts were in the High-frequency range.