Author(s): Dr. Pallob Kumar Mondal

Abstract:
Somatotyping is a classification of human body-form with different ratings. This classification is done by Sheldon’s three-component ratings viz., endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. In adult population, women athletes and non-athletes did differ in mesomorphy and ectomorphy characteristics. Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage situations. The coping strategies are of two types (i) Approach coping strategies/ problem-focused: it deals with solving problem or active attempts to resolve the stressor and (ii) Avoidance coping strategies/ emotion-focused: it deals with avoiding active confrontation of the stressor or reducing emotional the tension of a stressor. Approach oriented coping strategies associated with less stress and illness, while avoidance oriented coping strategies associated with more stress and illness. It is seen that high-hardy individuals engage in approach coping strategies for the purpose of transforming stressful events into situations that seem to be more manageable. In contrast, low-hardy individuals tend to engage in avoidance coping strategies such as cognitive and behavioral disengagement and denial to deal with a stressful situation. The purpose of this study was to assess the somatotype and coping ability of small framed 20-25 years old female athletes and non-athletes. The study was conducted with sixty (N=60) small framed female subjects out of which thirty (n=30) were state level athletes from West Bengal and thirty (n=30) non-athletes were among the Kalyani University female students. Criterion measures for this study were height, weight, wrist circumference, frame size, Endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph and stress coping ability. It revealed from the study that; in somatotype, athlete somatotype rating was (endomorph-mesomorph-ectomorph) 4.34-3.55-2.55; whereas non-athlete somatotype rating was 6.02-3.43-2.54, which indicated that both the group was belonged to the mesomorphic-endomorph type of body structure. The stress coping ability of two small framed female groups had difference. The female athlete group performed active coping ability to reduce stress whereas, non-athlete female group performed avoidance coping ability to reduce stress.

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