Anthropometry
Anthropometry is the study of the measurement of the human body. It involves collecting data on body dimensions, such as height, weight, and proportions, to understand variations in human size and shape. This information is used in various fields, including product design, ergonomics, and architecture, to create products and environments that are better suited to the human body.
8 Key excerpts on "Anthropometry"
eBook - ePubErgonomics
Foundational Principles, Applications, and Technologies
- Pamela McCauley(Author)
- 2011(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...Ethnicity differences have been found when comparing individuals living in different countries. For example, the average male stature in the United States is 167 cm (66 in.), while the average male stature in Vietnam is 152 cm (60 in.). For these reasons, it is important to understand the process of anthropometric data collection, analysis, and application. 5.4 WHAT IS Anthropometry? The study of anthropometrics, or human measurement, is concerned with the physical sizes and shapes of humans. Anthropometrics is a very important branch of ergonomics (Pheasant, 1996) in research and application. This science deals with the measurement of size, mass, shape, and inertial properties of the human body. Anthropometry relies on sophisticated methods to measure physical dimensions including static and dynamic measurements of specific populations. The results obtained from these methods are statistical data that can be applied in the design of products, clothing, occupational, and recreational environments. Also, anthropometric data is essential in developing biomechanical models to predict human movement, reach, force, and space requirements. Static or structural Anthropometry is focused on specific skeletal dimensions when the body is not in motion, while dynamic or functional Anthropometry measures distances and ranges of motion while the body is moving or involved in physical activities. Anthropometric design principles should be applied in design for a large cross section of the population to promote physical comfort in the workplace, recreational, and service environments. Ignoring these physical requirements can create bad postures that lead to fatigue, loss of productivity, and sometimes injury. Furthermore, Anthropometry not only deals with establishing appropriate working heights, but also facilitating access to controls and input devices for users. Anthropometric data has many uses and can be applied in a variety of industries...
eBook - ePubIntroduction to Human Factors
Applying Psychology to Design
- Nancy J. Stone, Alex Chaparro, Joseph R. Keebler, Barbara S. Chaparro, Daniel S. McConnell(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...We should not work with our arms extended over our heads. Certain body postures, twists, turns, or extensions can cause strain on the body. Although the anthropometric aspects are important to ensure environments “fit” the user, we also need to make sure that the functions of the user, or biomechanics, are appropriate for the job. Therefore, in order to create environments that fit most people or environments that can accommodate people who are extremely tall or short, or have physical limitations such as being in a wheelchair, we need to understand Anthropometry and biomechanics. 9.1 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you should be able to: Define what Anthropometry is. Define various anthropometric terms. Describe the various design criteria. Explain what anthropometric tools exist and how they are used. Explain how anthropometric data are collected. Explain how anthropometric data are analyzed. Describe the need for and use of various design standards. Explain the essentials of proper seating, work surface height, and workspace design. Define various biomechanical terms. Identify and describe the injuries that can occur when Anthropometry or biomechanics are not properly applied to a situation. Explain what manual materials handling (MMH) is and how it relates to biomechanics. Determine the proper workspace design for various activities. 9.2 WHAT IS Anthropometry? Anthropometry originates from physical anthropology (Herzberg, 1960; Nowak, 1997), which documents body differences among the human races (Herzberg, 1960).Therefore, Anthropometry is the measurement of the human body or, more specifically, of human body parts. Some examples of body dimensions include stature, leg length, forearm length, head width, sitting height, and hand width. Anthropometric data are used to design environments and equipment for human use. This ensures that the space and equipment fit or conform to the size and shape of humans...
eBook - ePub- Robert Bridger(Author)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...3 Anthropometry, Workstation, and Facilities Design General Requirements for Humans in Systems 3.1 Where human physical variability places constraints on the design, the system shall be designed to accommodate the majority of operators on all relevant user dimensions for males and females in the target population 3.2 The design solution shall fit at least the 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male on that dimension 3.3 The physical characteristics of the target population of users must be identified and planned for in advance 3.4 Subgroups with special anthropometric needs such as pregnant females, the disabled, or obese employees must be catered for: either in the design solution; or in bespoke arrangements to enable them to work safely and efficiently The people in power have created an obesity epidemic. Dr. Robert Atkins, Nov 27, 1996 Interviewed by Alex Witchel for the New York Times Core Knowledge: Understanding Human Physical Variability Anthropometry: Definition The word “Anthropometry” is derived from the Greek words “Anthropos” (man) and “Metron” (measure), and means measurement of the human body. Anthropometric data are used in HFE to specify the physical dimensions of workspaces, equipment, vehicles, and clothing to ensure that these products physically fit the target population. Figure 3.1 provides some examples in which the physical dimensions of workspaces do NOT fit the employees. Figure 3.1 Anthropometric mismatches in the workplace: (a) conveyor too high, (b) hopper too high, and (c) no clearance space for the knees causing twisted sitting posture. Measurements of the Body Used in HFE Table 3.1 summarizes the main types of anthropometric data used in HFE. Table 3.1 Types of Anthropometric Data Used in Ergonomics Structural data : Measurements of bodily dimensions of subjects in static postures. Anatomically rigorous, in that measurements are made from clearly identifiable anatomical sites, usually bony landmarks under the skin...
eBook - ePubErgonomics
How to Design for Ease and Efficiency
- Katrin Kroemer Elbert, Henrike B. Kroemer, Anne D. Kroemer Hoffman(Authors)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- Academic Press(Publisher)
...This was the beginning of modern Anthropometry, the measurement and description of the human body. By the end of the 19th century, Anthropometry was a widely applied scientific discipline, used both in measuring the bones of early people and in assessing the body sizes and proportions of contemporaries. A new offspring, biomechanics (related to structure and movement), emerged. Today, engineers have become highly interested in the application of anthropometric and anthromechanical information. 4 Standardized measurements Unification of measuring methods became necessary and was achieved primarily by anthropologists who convened 1906 in Monaco and 1912 in Geneva. They established landmarks on the body, mostly on bones, to and from which to take measurements. In 1914, Rudolf Martin published his Lehrbuch der Anthropologie. The several editions of this authoritative textbook shaped the discipline for decades. Beginning in the 1960s, increasing engineering needs for anthropometric information, newly developing measuring techniques, and advanced statistical considerations stimulated the need for updated standardization. Since the 1980s, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) has established conforming anthropometric techniques worldwide. 5 1.2.1. Measurement Techniques Most body measurements are defined by the two endpoints of the distance measured. For example, forearm length is the elbow-to-fingertip distance; stature (height) starts at the floor on which the subject stands and extends to the highest point on the skull. Reference planes Fig. 1.1 shows the three standard reference planes: the medial (mid-sagittal), the frontal (or coronal), and the transverse planes, all at 90 degrees to each other and usually set to meet in the center of mass of the whole body...
eBook - ePubClothing for Children and Teenagers
Anthropometry, Sizing and Fit
- Norsaadah Zakaria(Author)
- 2016(Publication Date)
- Woodhead Publishing(Publisher)
...3 Conducting anthropometric surveys of children and teenagers Abstract Anthropometric survey is a very significant procedure in order to collect anthropometric data. In this chapter, the first section 3.1 describes the principles of anthropometric. In Section 3.2, all the key issues involving the process of the measurements for anthropometric data is described. Next, Section 3.3 and 3.4 describes the differences in handling anthropometric survey manually and computerized techniques. Finally, the conclusion and future of the research are described in the final chapter. Keywords Anthropometric survey; Body measurement process; Digital anthropometric data; Manual anthropometric data; Principles of anthropometric 3.1. Introduction: Anthropometry Anthropometry literally is defined as “measurement of humans” [ 1, 2 ]. In Greek, anthropos means “human” and metron means measure [3]. Anthropometry also is a study of humans where the study focuses on the measurement of living individuals in order to understand the human physical variations [4]. In addition, according to Yu [5] human Anthropometry is the study of people in terms of their physical dimensions, which has classically been performed by the physical anthropologist. In other words, Anthropometry is the formal name for the techniques used to gather quantitative information about the human body that can be applied in a design context [6]. Anthropometry is also conducted in a systematic way to measure the human body to obtain the descriptors of body size and shape. This information is very important for clothing sizing development, especially for targeted populations of each country. Human bodies differ greatly in dimensions. The variations come from factors of gender, nationality, and environment, as well as other predictable factors like age [7]. Thus, knowing that people in different countries have different body dimensions and proportions dictates the differences in the sizes of clothing...
eBook - ePubClothing Appearance and Fit
Science and Technology
- J Fan, W Yu, L Hunter(Authors)
- 2004(Publication Date)
- Woodhead Publishing(Publisher)
...9 Human anthropometrics and sizing systems W. Yu 9.1 Terms and definitions 9.1.1 Anthropometrics Anthropometrics can be defined as the science concerned with the measurement of man. 1 The name was derived from the Greek ‘anthro’ and ‘metreein’ which mean human and measure, respectively. Pheasant further expanded this definition to ‘applied anthropometrics’, which included numerical data concerning size, shape and other physical characteristics of human beings and could be applied in the design context. 2 9.1.2 Anatomy According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, anatomy is a branch of biology concerned with the study of body structure of various organisms, including humans. In Gray’s classic publication, the term human anatomy comprises a consideration of the various structures which make up the human organism. 3 9.1.3 Landmarks Landmarks are located by anatomical points and grouped according to their positions on the body. This provides a predetermined order to permit greater speed in body measuring. Figure 9.1 shows 21 anatomical points 4 and Fig. 9.2 indicates 19 key landmarks. 5 Figure 9.1 Critical anatomical points. Figure 9.2 Key body landmarks. Clear landmarks with logical coding would be useful to explain all critical measurements for basic pattern development. From landmark points to body lines, all definitions and measuring methods should be standardised and commonly agreed. To obtain the data with acceptable consistency, reproducibility and reliability, structured methods of landmarking and recording will help to make the measuring process more efficient and effective. 9.1.4 Body measurement The classic terminologies and methods of body measurement for the clothing field were first published by the Joint Clothing Council. 4 A standard reference for body measurements was later made available. 6 Body measurements were divided into four groups: stature, segment length, body breadth and circumference...
eBook - ePubHard Facts About Soft Machines
The Ergonomics Of Seating
- Rani Lueder, Kageyu Noro, Rani Lueder, Kageyu Noro(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...Work space evaluation needs are increasingly different from the original anthropological goals of comparing racial groups or even later needs for design of clothing. Of course, before embarking on large-scale surveys one should perform small-scale measurement studies of selected samples from the expected populations (or, to be more accurate, their antecedents that can be actually measured today). Such preliminary ‘mapping of the territory’ is both prudent and necessary, before exploring it in fine detail. Barrier: Availability of population data One of the first questions to be asked is: Are any of the currently available anthropometric data appropriate for today’s or tomorrow’s maintenance problems? This question is raised because for the past 80–100 years there has been a remarkable secular (historical) growth in Stature and related length dimensions of many of the world’s populations (NASA, 1978a), and in some US military populations as shown in Figure 6.1. The chart indicates that many years often pass between one anthropometric survey and the next. Experience in the recent past has shown that aircraft and aerospace projects have required a five to ten year development cycle from design to deployment (and some much longer). Thus, it is more likely that old data will be used than current data. By developing the practices of concurrent engineering it is hoped that American industry can shorten such development cycles significantly. Still, by the time an air vehicle is in operation for a few years the anthropometric data base which set requirements for aircraft projects may be two or more decades old. Figure 6.1 Average stature versus calendar year of US military men and NASA crew, showing projected growth trends Long-range considerations: Forecasting secular trends One method to offset the above-described problem is to prepare forecasts of anthropometric secular trends and use these estimations for design requirements...
eBook - ePub- Selwyn Goldsmith(Author)
- 2007(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...3 Anthropometrics The anthropometric data to the diagrams on pages 26–30 are derived from two sources. One is Henry Dreyfuss Associates’ The Measure of Man and Woman – Human Factors in Design, published in 1993. The other is the second edition of Stephen Pheasant's Bodyspace, subtitled Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, published in 1998. Dreyfuss Henry Dreyfuss's 1993 book is the updated sequel to his 1960 landmark book, The Measure of Man, acknowledged around the world as the authoritative textbook of anthropometric data for architects, engineers and designers. Dreyfuss's expertise was in the field of psychology, engineering, anthropology and physiology. With the coming of World War II he was commissioned by the US Department of Defense to develop human engineering standards for the design of military equipment, and in order to obtain relevant anthropometric data for the project he undertook a survey of a large sample of adult males in military service or suited for it. It was primarily the findings of that survey which informed the presentation of the series of anthropometric diagrams in the 1960 book. Homogeneous populations and percentile measures In studying a population of adult males who were servicemen, Dreyfuss had a homogeneous population, which enabled him to present comprehensive anthropometric data systematically. With stature being the key item, the body measurements of a homogeneous population when analysed are found to have a statistically normal distribution, meaning that when heights are plotted against incidence the graphical outcome is a symmetrical bell curve. On the left side of the bell are the 50 per cent of the population whose heights are below average, and on the right side the 50 per cent who are above average height. At the top centre of the bell is the mean average, the 50th percentile...
