History of somatotyping can be traced back to the fifth century BC, when Hippocrates offered two fold classification of physique:
- Habitus phthisicus, long and thin individuals considered susceptible to tuberculosis.
- Habitus apoplecticus, short and thick build individuals susceptible to vascular disease leading to apoplexy.
Ever since that time, there have been several attempts to describe and classify the humans. All the efforts ultimately lead to a common conclusion of describing human body forms in two or three major types: lateral (round), muscular and linear.
The study of physique has pivotal role to play in understanding growth, maturation and performance. During the growth phase, it is clear that in childhood and adolescent phase the genesis of the variation which is observed in adulthood takes place. Somatotyping is an outstanding tool to explore the spatial temporal variations and observe the changes occurring as a result of physical exercise on human physique. Moreover it combines an appraisal of relative adiposity, musculoskeletal robustness and linearity into a three scale rating. The development of anthropometry added new dimensions to the study of morphology. Somatotype distribution in various ethnic groups are markedly more restricted and dominated by extreme somatotype than the nationality samples. Studies reveal that Eskimos (Alaska) are primarily endo-mesomorphic, Manus (Papua New-Guinea) and Caingang (Brazil) presents conspicuously mesomorphic somatotypes with extremes towards mesomorphy. Strikingly, extreme ectomorphic somatotype is shown by Nilotes of the Nile valley in Africa and many population groups living in hot environments of the tropics.