Somatotipo y Composición Corporal en Sobrepeso: Estudio Kinantropométrico para Intervenciones Efectivas

Abstract

Kinanthropometry, a key discipline in sports and health sciences, analyzes the morphological characteristics of the human body. This study examined the relationship between somatotype and body composition in 50 overweight adults (26 women and 24 men; age: 31.78±10.71 years; BMI: 31.55±4.03), with the aim of optimizing strategies against obesity. Using ISAK protocols, weight (electronic scale), height (stadiometer), skinfolds (plicometer), circumferences (metal tape) and bone diameters (caliper) were measured under controlled environmental conditions (22-24°C, 45-55% humidity). Measurements were duplicated to minimize errors. Body composition was assessed with certified equations (Matiegka, muscle mass; Faulkner, fat; Rocha, bone mass; Wurch, residual), and somatotype was defined by the Heath-Carter method. Data, analyzed with SPSS v27, used nonparametric tests (Spearman, Mann-Whitney U) due to non-normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk, p<0.05). The results showed endomorphy dominance (7.08 ± 1.31), moderate mesomorphy (5.87 ± 1.15) and low ectomorphy (0.55 ± 0.41). The correlation between body fat and muscle mass was significant (ρ=0.67; p<0.01). Males excelled in muscle (U=91,000; Z=-4.291; p<0.001) and bone (U=73,000; Z=-4.641; p<0.001) mass, while females showed higher body fat (U=128,000; Z=-3.573; p<0.001). The analysis confirms that endomorphy is associated with greater adiposity, suggesting interventions focused on reducing fat and preserving muscle, integrating somatotype. Future research should integrate accurate technologies (e.g. DXA) and determine adherence to training according to somatotype profile.