title: Statistical and physiological distinction of constitution types.
abstract: Most conventional human health and function evaluation methods are based on a traditional notion that all the population characteristics follow the Gaussian distribution law with the parameters M and s forming the basis of the norm conception. But some known facts contradict this idea that requires checking the statistical homogeneity of population characteristics. Analysis of statistical distribution and central tendencies for simple measured indices in population and somatotypes samples proved an idea of natural population distinctions by a broad set of morpho-functional features (by means of 23-D matrix cluster analysis for different indices) and provided the scientific grounds to use a constitutional approach in human sciences and physical education as well. Gaussian distribution law was found within somatotype groups permitting the use of its parameters for norm evaluation. In practice for somatotype determination the relative girth body dimensions (normalized by body height) were proved to be preferable.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Developmental Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zaitseva
authors.forename: Valentine
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Son'kin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013008:Somatotypes / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*