Ergo Chap 101 Anthropometry

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Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Department of Industrial Engineering
ANTHROPOMETRY
Chap 10
Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine 3/7/2011
Learning outcomes
After completing this chapter students should be able to
• be aware of the application of Mannequins in Ergonomics in the

past,
• understand the concept and importance of Anthropometry,
• gain practical experience in collecting anthropometric data,

• learn the applications of Anthropometry,
1

Application of manikins in ergonomic analysis of furniture
Mannequins - a two-
dimensional drawing or
figure which articulates
like ADAM
(Anthropometric Data
Applications Mannequin)
with plastic parts snap
together like clear
moveable paper dolls or
overlay transparencies.

2

Common office environment posture measurements

The most common mannequins include the P5, P50, and P95
models for both males and females.
The 5th% female value for a particular dimension (e.g. sitting

height) usually represents the smallest measurement for design in
a population.
Conversely, a 95th% male value may represent the largest
dimension for which one is designing.
The 5th% to 95th% range accommodates approximately 90% of
the population.
To design for a larger portion of the population, one might use the
range from the 1st% female to the 99th% male.
3

When using anthropometric measurements in design,

consider two points:
1. How recently data was collected?

2. Type of population measured
First, some data may have been collected over 25 years

ago, and measurements such as height or weight may
have changed in the current population.

The population one is designing for may not be represented

by the anthropometric database being referenced.
For example, ANSUR data may not be applicable in

designing a table used by elderly individuals or children.
Anthropometric measurements should be a guide for design.
(Natick studies or ANSUR database.)
4

Application of manikins in ergonomic analysis of furniture (1)
In 2000, the Civilian American and European Surface

Anthropometry Resource (CAESAR) was compiled by the
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to measure civilian
populations.
CAESAR contains anthropometric data and 3D body scans of

over 4,000 individuals from North America and Europe.

Introduction
• To assess the fit between a person and their work,

ergonomists consider
q The job being done and the demands on the worker.
q The equipment used (its size, shape, and how
appropriate it is for the task).
q The information used (how it is presented, accessed,
and changed).
5

Introduction (cont.)
• Ergonomics draws on many disciplines in its study of

humans and their environments, including
anthropometry, biomechanics, mechanical engineering,
industrial engineering, physiology, and psychology.

Anthropometry
• Anthropometry is the science of measurement and study

of the human body and its parts and capacities.
• Is the branch of ergonomics that deals with body shape

and size.
• The science of measuring the human body in order to

ascertain the average dimensions of the human form at
different ages, and in different divisions of race, class
etc.
6

Anthropometry (cont.)
• People come in all shapes and sizes so you need to take

these physical characteristics into account whenever you
design anything that someone will use, from something
as simple as a pencil to something as complex as a car.

Anthropometry Step by Step
1. Decide who you are designing for (user population).
2. Decide which body measurements are relevant
3. Decide whether you are designing for the 'average' or

'extremes‘
4. Think about other human factors
7

Step # 1: User Population
• First of all you need to know exactly who you are

designing for.
• If you were designing an office chair, you would need to

consider dimensions for adults of working age and not
those for children or the elderly. If you were designing a
product for the home, such as a kettle, your user group
would include everyone except young children
(hopefully!).

Population Dimensions
• Define the user population.

• Consider the source of population dimensions
– Male/female
– Military/civilian
– Age
– Ethnicity
– Occupation
8

Step # 2: Body Measurements
• You need to know which parts of the body are relevant to
your design.
• For example, if you were designing a mobile phone, you

would need to consider the width and length of the hand,
the size of the fingers, as well as grip diameter.
• You wouldn't be too interested in the height or weight of the

user (although the weight of the phone might be important!)

Step # 3: Average or Extreme?
• Nobody is 'average' in all body dimensions. Someone might

be say, of average height but have a longer than average
hand length.
• The variation in the size and shape of people also tells us
that if you design to suit yourself, it will only be suitable for
people who are the same size and shape as you, and you
might 'design out' everyone else!
9

Percentiles
• You can design for the percentile.
• Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they

tell you whether the measurement given in the tables
relates to the 'average' person, or someone who is above
or below average in a certain dimension.

Percentiles (Cont.)
10

Designing a door height
• For example, if we were designing a doorway using the
height, shoulder width, hip width etc., of an average
person, then half the people using the doorway would be
taller than the average, and half would be wider.
• Since the tallest people are not necessarily the widest,
more than half the users would have to bend down or turn
sideways to get through the doorway.
• Therefore, in this case we would need to design using
dimensions of the widest and tallest people to ensure that
everyone could walk through normally.

Designing a door height (cont.)
• Usually, you will find that if you pick the right percentile,
95% of people will be able to use your design.
• For example, if you were choosing a door height, you

would choose the dimension of people's height (often
called 'stature' in anthropometry tables) and pick the 95th
percentile value – in other words, you would design for the
taller people.
• You wouldn't need to worry about the average height
people, or the 5th percentile ones – they would be able to
fit through the door anyway
11

Designing an Airplane Cockpit
• If you were designing an airplane cockpit, and need to

make sure everyone could reach a particular control,
• You would choose 5th percentile arm length
• If they could reach the control, everyone else (with longer
arms) would be able to.

Designing an Airplane Cockpit (cont.)
• Deciding whether to use the 5th, 50th or 95th percentile

value depends on what you are designing and who you
are designing it for.
12

Step # 4: Other Human Factors
Like comfort, temperature,
• You may need to add corrections for clothing!

• Have you allowed for shoe heights!
• You generally add 20mm for fairly flat shoes, and more if you
think users will be wearing high heels.

Anthropometry Measurements
• Lengths (e.g. the length of the thigh bone)

• Breadths (e.g. the width across the shoulders)
• Girths (e.g. waist limits)
• Stature (height)
• Mass (how much you weigh)
• skinfold thickness at various sites on the body (e.g. at
the back of the upper arm)
13

Anthropometry Measurements (cont.)
• Variety of people
Ø Monitoring athletes, tracking growth, development, and
motor performance in children,
Ø Linking physical activity and nutrition interventions to
changes in body size, shape and composition.
Ø Assessing changes in body dimensions in response to
disease.
Ø Identifying markers for potential sporting performance.

Body Position Descriptions
• Planes
– Saggital – divides the body into left and right half
(medial/lateral)
– Coronal – divides the body into front and back half
(anterior/posterior)
– Transverse – divides the body into top and bottom
half (superior/inferior)
• Limbs
– Proximal: close to torso (body)
– Distal/lateral: further from torso
14

Body Measurements
• Static Dimensions:
Ø Taken when the body is fixed (static) position,
Ø Skeletal dimensions (between the center of joints, such as
between elbow and the wrist)
• Dynamic Dimensions:
Ø Taken under conditions in which the body is engaged some
physical activity,
Ø In most physical activities (where one is operating steering
wheel, assembling a mousetrap)

Body Mass Index (BMI)
• It is a statistical measurement which compares a

person's weight and height,
• It does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it

is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based
on how tall a person is,
15

Body Mass Index (cont.)
• It is easy in measurement and calculation,

• it is the most widely used diagnostic tool to identify
weight problem within a population including:
q Underweight
q Overweight
q Obesity

BMI Formula
• Body mass index is defined as the individual's body

weight divided by the square of his or her height
16

BMI Interpretation
Category BMI range - kg/m 2

Severely underweight less than 16.5
Underweight from 16.5 to 18.5
Normal from 18.5 to 25
Overweight from 25 to 30
Obese Class I from 30 to 35
Obese Class II from 35 to 40
Obese Class III over 40

Body Dimensions
Symbol Expression
A Stature
B Elbow Height
C Hip Height
D Knuckle Height
E Chest/Bust Depth
17

Body Dimensions (cont.)
Symbol Expression
F Sitting Height
G Sitting Elbow Height:
H Shoulder-Elbow Length
I Shoulder-Grip Length
J Elbow-Fingertip Length
K Hand Length
L Buttock-Knee Length
M Buttock-Popliteal Length
N Popliteal Height
O Knee Height
P Foot Length

Body Dimensions (cont.)
Symbol Expression
Q Shoulder Breadth
R Hip Breadth
18

Body Dimensions
• Sample 95th percentile dimensions (cm) of nude U.S.

adult civilians.
Female Male
Stature (height) 173.73 186.65
Eye height 162.13 174.29
Thigh height (sitting) 18.02 18.99
Forward reach 79.67 86.70
Hip breadth (sitting) 43.22 41.16
Weight (kg) 84.8 99.3

Body Dimensions
% of total body % of total body

weight surface area
Head 7.28 8.5
Arm 4.9 9
Leg 16.10 18
Trunk 50.70 38
19

Variations in Strength
• Females average 63% isometric strength of males.

• Strength of specific muscle groups varies depending on
– Limb: Leg approx. 3 times strength of arm
– Direction exerted: Strength may decrease by 50%
– Preferred hand/arm/leg: Strength may vary by 40–
50%
• Left and right leg strengths do not differ appreciably.

Design for Population or Person?
• If for population, what population?

– Current employees?
– Potential employees?
– Everyone in the world?
• If for person, how?
– Adjustability?
– Discrete sizes?
20

How Many Sizes?
• How much does the population vary?

• How well can a specific size fit part of the
population?
• How many dimensions are relevant?
• Sizes and adjustability interact.
21

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Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software

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Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine 3/7/2011

After completing this chapter students should be able to

• be aware of the application of Mannequins in Ergonomics in the

• gain practical experience in collecting anthropometric data,

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

The 5th% female value for a particular dimension (e.g. sitting

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

When using anthropometric measurements in design,

1. How recently data was collected?

First, some data may have been collected over 25 years

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

The population one is designing for may not be represented

For example, ANSUR data may not be applicable in

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

In 2000, the Civilian American and European Surface

CAESAR contains anthropometric data and 3D body scans of

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• To assess the fit between a person and their work,

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Ergonomics draws on many disciplines in its study of

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Anthropometry is the science of measurement and study

• Is the branch of ergonomics that deals with body shape

• The science of measuring the human body in order to

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• People come in all shapes and sizes so you need to take

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

1. Decide who you are designing for (user population).

2. Decide which body measurements are relevant

3. Decide whether you are designing for the 'average' or

4. Think about other human factors

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• First of all you need to know exactly who you are

• If you were designing an office chair, you would need to

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Define the user population.

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• For example, if you were designing a mobile phone, you

• You wouldn't be too interested in the height or weight of the

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Nobody is 'average' in all body dimensions. Someone might

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• You can design for the percentile.

• Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• For example, if you were choosing a door height, you

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• If you were designing an airplane cockpit, and need to

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Deciding whether to use the 5th, 50th or 95th percentile

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

Like comfort, temperature,

• You may need to add corrections for clothing!

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine

• Lengths (e.g. the length of the thigh bone)

Islamic University of Gaza - Palestine