Mike Warren

Biology 1615
Scientific Article Summary
Impact of work performance on body proportions in Blacksmiths: A somatometric
analysis
By Ajit Pal Singh, S.P. Singh, Jeevanjot Sekhon

Scientists have long known that physical labor produces physiological changes in the
laborer and that repetition of the same tasks can lead to adaptations in the body which allow
the laborer to become more efficient at those tasks. The researchers, Singh, Singh, and
Sekhon, sought to measure the effects that such labor had on a specific group of blacksmiths
in India.
At the time of the study, the researchers already knew that physical labor promotes
muscular growth and development while sedentary work leads to muscular breakdown
through lack of use and build-up of fat stores. The researchers wanted to highlight the
impact of physical work performance on the body proportions, specifically focusing on the
level and range of bilateral asymmetry in blacksmiths. (Singh, Singh, & Sekhon, 2012)
It was already understood that body composition and levels of activity performance could
help professionals better predict healthy growth in individuals, so further study and
understanding would benefit the researchers and the populations involved. By better
understanding the physical adaptations that are most advantageous to blacksmiths, the
researchers could roughly estimate which members of younger populations might learn the
trade and also help people develop the physique that results from such labor and therefore
allow for more productive blacksmiths. Singh, Singh, and Sekhon wanted to understand more

fully the varying body compositions and proportions among one set of professionals:
blacksmiths.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers identified specific upper-body measurements
that would best represent physical changes in the blacksmiths as a result of the repeated
muscle-building movements in their profession. They studied a group of 200 adult male
blacksmiths ranging in age from 30-40 years old, in the Punjab region of India, with said
blacksmiths being spread throughout various cities and towns throughout the region. The
study was conducted from April 2002 through January 2004, thus allowing for significant
physiological changes to occur. The scientists noted that [no] specific method of sampling
was used for data collection has been used for the data collection as most of the subjects
refused to become part of the study. (Singh, Singh, & Sekhon, 2012) To accurately measure
changes in the blacksmiths body proportions, the equations given by Ross and Wilson (1974)
and the gross phantom specifications given by Ross and Ward (1982) were used. (Singh,
Singh, & Sekhon, 2012) In addition to this, the scientists calculated the blacksmiths degree
of asymmetry using the Relative Index of Asymmetry from Wolanski (1965). They
determined the three primary components of physique by using calculations developed by
Carter (1980) and the body mass index (BMI) formula from WHO (2002). The waist-to-hip
ratio (WHR) method of predicting cardiovascular disease risk as developed by Willets et al.
(1999) was also included in the interpretation of results. (Singh, Singh, & Sekhon, 2012) The
results of the study provided Singh, Singh, and Sekhon with accurate measurements of the
physiological changes that occur in response to smithing.
Upon completion of the study, the blacksmiths were measured again and a number of
the measured sites had increased, while others decreased. Specifically, the biceps and
suprailiac region skinfolds, body weight, upper arm, forearm, wrist, chest, waist, and hip
circumferences, upper arm and forearm lengths, hand, humerus bicondylar, bi-acromial, and

bi-iliac breadths, and the antero-posterior and transverse chest depths all increased. Bilateral
differences were also measured and the greatest bilateral skinfold difference was found in the
triceps skinfold, while the least was found in the forearm skinfold. They found that the
greatest asymmetry was in biceps skinfold thickness and the least was found in the suprailiac
skinfold thickness. The scientists noted that while 42.5% of the blacksmiths were classified as
grade-1-overweight, according to WHOs BMI formula, the results of Willets et al.s WHR
determined that merely 7% of the blacksmiths were at risk of developing cardiovascular
disease (CVD). Additionally, the majority of the blacksmiths involved tended to be
endomorphic, then mesomorphic, then ectomorphic.
Due to the heavily physical activity required by the occupation, the blacksmiths
skinfold measurements illustrate increased circumference in their upper extremities,
indicating muscular development and growth. Moreover, the significant increase in chest
breadth showed the researchers that the occupational work influenced their trunk more than
other bodily regions. The results also indicate that 42.5% of the participants were overweight
and thus subject to increased risk of mortality as compared to those of normal BMI. The
researchers explicitly stated that [more] strenuous work tends to lower the value of BMI and
will probably imply an effect on work capacity. (Singh, Singh, & Sekhon, 2012) WHR was
preferentially used to predict risk of CVD and other diseases such as non-insulin dependent
diabetes mellitus. The researchers prefer WHR because of its indication of adiposity location
and muscular development, which affect an individuals risk of disease. The asymmetry
measured by the scientists showed significant development on the right side of the body, due
to the blacksmiths preferential use of the right hand to perform most of their work, using the
left to maintain steadiness in the object being worked on. These results are consistent with
studies performed by other scientists which indicate asymmetry due to unilateral preference,
while bilateral equality in use showed minimal asymmetry due to development on both sides.

I.

Bibliography

Singh, P. A., Singh, S., & Sekhon, J. (2012). Impact of work performance on body
proportions in Blacksmiths: A somatometric analysis. Human Biology Review, 138150.