IE 436/536: WORK

PHYSIOLOGY
Week 3:
Anthropometry
 Anthropometry
• Anthrop(s) = human
• Metricos = of or pertaining to measurement
• Basic Definition - the science of measurement of body size [NASA, 1978]

Detailed Definition ‘-

The application of scientific methods to human subjects for

the development of design standards & specific requirements
and for the evaluation of engineering drawings, mock-ups &
manufactured products for the purposes of assuring the
suitability of these products for the intended user population.
[Roebuck, Kroemer & Thompson, 1975]

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Anthropometry

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Anthropometry

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 Anthropometry as a Science
• Engineering anthropometry originated from anthropology, and seeks to
describe the physical dimensions of the (human) body
• Engineering anthropometry as applied to ergonomics and biomechanics can
be separated into:
Physical (Static) anthropometry: addresses fundamental
‘- physical dimensions of the
body
Measures are essentially “fixed” over short time scales, and are “at rest” measures
Functional anthropometry: physical dimensions relevant to completing particular
activities or tasks
Measures are influenced by specific tasks and/or individual performance

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 Example Data Types
• Static Data:
segment length or link length
segment circumference
mass and center-of-mass location
segment moments of inertia
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• Functional Data:
sitting height
reach distance
head clearance
line-of-sight location

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 Engineering Anthropometry: Goals
• Develop functional design data from static data (e.g.
biomechanical or biokinematic models)
• Reliable methods for measuring (and predicting) human
anthropometric parameters
• Evaluate variance in anthropometric data
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that affect:
Workplace design (reach, clearance, functional ability, postural support,
vision, comfort)
Tool design (size, shape, weight)
• Use of anthropometric data in biomechanical models (+ROM and
Strength)

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Applied Anthropometry

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Applied Anthropometry

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 Applied Anthropometry

How tall should the workstation be?

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How high should the items be stored?

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Anthropometric Measurement

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Anthropometric Measurement

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 Measurement of External Dimensions
• To obtain meaningful dimensions,
extreme care must be taken to specify
exactly what is being measured and how

• Dimensions must be located relative to

physical (anatomical) landmarks
(common
‘- to all people and easy to
locate) on the body

• Link lengths are derived from surface

landmark measurements

From Chaffin et al (2006) Occupational Biomechanics, Fig 3.2 13

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 3D Whole-Body Scanning

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CAESER: Civilian American and

European Surface Anthropometry

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 Correlations between Measures

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From: Kroemer et al (1986) Engineering Physiology

Ratio Scaling: The “Average Human”

• H here is stature
• What is 95th%-ile arm
‘- length?
0.186H + 0.146H = 0.332H
H is 95th%-ile stature

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From Chaffin et al. (1999) Occupational Biomechanics, Fig 3.9
 Ratio Scaling: The “Average Human”
• Anthropometric data for individuals is often estimated using stature or body
weight in linear regression equations
Express average link lengths as a proportion of body stature

• Advantages:
Simplicity ‘-

• Disadvantages:
Relationships are not necessarily linear, nor the same for all individuals
Values represent averages for a portion of a specific population

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 Static Population Data Limitations
• Limitations of most anthropometry data sources

• Military data sources

systematically measured as part of service ‘-

consistent and high-quality sources of data

• Are military population databases representative samples?
• Racial origins, age, gender mix, etc., may affect suitability of tabular data
• Minimize bias resulting from group selection

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 Sources of Anthropometric Variability
Gender

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 Sources of Anthropometric Variability
• Ethnicity/Race
• Secular
Historically and as a function of age

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 Volume and Mass Measures
• External loads impose some stress but...
• Body segment masses add to the stress
• Example:
hold a screwdriver in a horizontal position
what causes the fatigue that occurs?
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• Important to determine gravitational effects on body structures
• Direct estimation of mass or from product of volume x density

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 Center of Mass Location
• Segment Center-of-Mass (COM)
The point where the entire object mass can be represented and which results in moments
equivalent to the actual distributed object
COM in the “center” only for an object of uniform shape and density

• Center-of-mass = center-of-gravity (practically)

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Center of Mass: Use

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• Use of COM in biomechanical calculations

• External elbow moment due to weights of forearm/hand and tool
• Requires knowing where the mass (weight) is located
• Mass represented at a specific location = COM
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 Dissection and Balance Point Method

L
0.43L

Proximal End
COM
Distal End
(wrist) ‘-
Forearm
(elbow)

Mleft = Mright

• Forearm COM/Segment Length Ratio = 43.0%

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Average Human: COM
• COM as a % of link length
• Where is the whole-body COM?
How could you calculate it?
• How does COM change with
posture?
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From Chaffin et al. (2006) Occupational Biomechanics, Fig 3.10 27

IE 436/536: WORK ‘-
PHYSIOLOGY
Week 3:
Anthropometry

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