STUDENTS from the Sports and Fitness Academy at BCoT were invited to participate in a research study on somatotype testing, led by a senior lecturer at The University of Winchester.

Helen Ryan, from Winchester’s Department of Sports Studies, is researching how a person’s somatotype (their physique and physical form) effects how they respond to different types of exercise.

The research is part of her PhD and she asked BCoT students to take part in the study.

During the session, Helen carried out a variety of tests on students, which included recording weight, height and bone breadth.

She also calculated body fat by measuring skin folds.

These results are then input into a specially designed programme to be anaylsed and to calculate somatotype.

One of the students taking part in the research was Aaron Lincoln.

He said: “I have always been interested in sports science and how the body works – that’s why I chose this course at BCoT.

“It was great to see how Helen used different techniques for the somatotype testing. This is the sort of thing I’d like to get involved with when I go to university to study Sports Nutrition.”

Simon Lovegrove, co-ordinating lecturer in sports science at BCoT, worked with Helen to set up the session.

He said: “This was a great opportunity for our students to watch an expert in her field at work. It is rare to be asked to take part in a research study which could be published in the coming year.

“Helen’s research also ties in with one of the Level 4 units we are currently studying. This looks into the different methods used to estimate body fat percentage and somatotype in sport and exercise sciences. It is situations like this which give our students greater exposure to research in higher education.

“We are fortunate to work closely with the team at The University of Winchester.

“After this, the students taking part in the project will make two trips to the university to be tested for strength, power and aerobic endurance.”