ANTHROPOMETRICS AND ERGONOMICS

Anthropometry is the science that defines physical measures of a person’s size, form, and
functional capacities. It is first developed in the 19th century as a method employed by physical
anthropologists for the study of human variation and evolution in both living and extinct
populations. In particular, such anthropometric measurements have been used historically as a
means to associate racial, cultural, and psychological attributes with physical properties.
Specifically, anthropomorphic measurements involve the size (e.g., height, weight, surface area,
and volume), structure (e.g., sitting vs. standing height, shoulder and hip width, arm/leg length,
and neck circumference), and composition (e.g., percentage of body fat, water content, and lean
body mass) of humans.

To obtain anthropometric measurements, a variety of specialized tools (as depicted

below) are used: Stadiometers for height, Anthropometers for length and circumference of body
segments, Biocondylar calipers for bone diameter, Skinfold calipers for skin thickness and
subcutaneous fat, and lastly, Scales for weight.

Anthropometric Somatotypes

Anthropometric measurements can be used to describe particular human

physiques, known as somatotypes. There are three main somatotypes as illustrated below
(endomorph, ectomorph, and mesomorph), although some individuals may represent a
hybrid of two somatotypes.
  An endomorph refers to humans whose tissues are predominantly derived from the
endoderm, exhibited by a soft, round shape, large digestive viscera, fat accumulation,
large trunk, and tapering extremities. The degree of endomorphy is calculated based
on the measurement of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness
corrected for height as an indication of the amount of fat in the body.

 A mesomorph refers to humans whose tissues are derived primarily from the
mesoderm, exhibited by increased muscle, bone, and connective tissue. Such
individuals typically have a hard physique and rectangular shape, intermediate
between the endo- and ectomorph.

 Ectomorph refers to humans whose tissues are derived primarily from the ectoderm,
exhibited by a linear body shape, large surface area, thin muscles and subcutaneous
tissue, and moderately developed digestive viscera. Ectomorphy is calculated by
obtaining height and mass measurements and assessing the level of linearity.

ERGONOMICS
 Economics as it applies to anthropometric measurements is derived from the understanding
that every aspect of human life involves activity (e.g., leisure, work, family, education,
spirituality, and physical/exercise). As such, specific tools and equipment are required for each
activity. Ergonomics is the industry centered on the design and creation of these instruments
through the evaluation of human comfort, movement, and other anthropometric measurements.
Ergonomic designs are tested with a series of experiments which involves

 Obtaining anthropometric measurements to derive “ergonomic dimensions” of posture

and movement.
 Recording the subjective feelings of comfort that the individual experiences when using
the equipment.
 Evaluating the ability of the instrument to perform the desired activity.

Anthropometric measurements in the field of ergonomics are obtained in a variety of

positions, including sitting, standing, lying down, as well as various derivatives of these poses
(e.g., arms stretched out, hands on a table, arms raised above the head, etc.). In addition, due to
the high degree of human variability by ethnicity and body composition, the use of multivariate
statistics is often applied to various anthropometric measurements for the creation of an optimal
design.
 FIXTURES AND FURNITURES

Architectural fixtures are generally installed to provide uniform, general illumination to a living
space. These are property is defined as an asset that is installed or otherwise fixed in or to a
building or land so as to become part of that building or land in law. While the furniture refers to
movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., stools, chairs,
and sofas), eating (tables), storing items, eating and/or working with an item, and sleeping (e.g.,
beds and hammocks).

STANDARD SIZE OF FIXTURES AND FURNITURES

 LIVING ROOM
o Three-seat sofa: 38’’ X 90’’
o Armchair: 35’’ deep by 35’’ wide
o Coffee Table: 48’’ X 30’’
o Square end table: 24’’ X 24’’

 DINING ROOM
o Dining table with one leaf: 72’’ X 36’’
o Side chair: 18’’ X 18’’
o Armchair: 18’’ X 22’’

 BEDROOM
o Twin-size bed: 39’’ X 80’’
 o Double or full-size bed: 54’’ X 80’’
o Queen-size bed: 60’’ X 80’’
o Chest of drawers: 30’’ wide by 18’’ deep
 PATIO
o Square dining table: 30’’ to 64’’ square
o Bar height table: 40’’ to 42’’ tall
o Bar height stool: 28’’ to 30’’ tall floor to top of seat

 KITCHEN
o Dishwasher: 24’’ wide by 24’’ deep by 35’’ tall
o Side-by-side refrigerator: 30’’ to 36’’ wide by 29’’ to 35’’ deep by 67’’ to 70’’
tall
o Freestanding range: 30’’ wide by 36’’tall
o Base cabinet: 36’’ wide by 24’’ to 26’’ deep by 35’’ to 36’’ tall