Anthropometry

 Anthropos - "man" and

 Metron "measurement”

A branch of anthropology that involves the quantitative measurement of the human body.

 Anthropometric data are used in ergonomics to specify the physical dimension of work
spaces, equipment and furniture etc. as to fit the task to the man and to ensure the
physical mismatch between the dimensions of equipment’s and products.

 It is the single most portable, universally applicable, inexpensive and technique for assess
ing the size, proportions and composition of the human body.

 It is used to evaluate both under & over nutrition.

 The measured values reflects the current nutritional status & differentiate between ac
ute & chronic changes.

 Anthropometry: Deals with the measurements of the dimensions and certain other
physical characteristics of the body such as volumes, centre of gravity, inertial properties
and masses of body segments.

 Anthropometrics is the comparative study of human body measurements and properties.

 Ergonomics is the science of making the work environment safer and more comfortable
for workers using design and anthropometric data.

Parameters of anthropometry

 Age dependent factors:-

a) Weight

b) Height

c) Head circumference

d) Chest circumference

 Age independent factors:-

a)Mid-arm circumference

b) Weight for height

c) Skinfold thickness

d) Mid upper arm/height ratio

 Anthropometrics is the data which concerns the dimensions of human beings.

 Designers need to makes sure that the products they design are the right size for the user
and therefore comfortable to use.

Human Factors

 Human factors involves the study of all aspects of the way humans relate to the world
around them, with the aim of improving operational performance, safety, through life
costs and/or adoption through improvement in the experience of the end user.

 The science of understanding the properties of human capability (Human Factors

Science).
  APPLICATIONS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA

 1. Determine the body dimensions.

 2. Determine what principle is to be applied.

 3. Defining equipment and facilities.

 4. Space requirements.

1. DETERMINE THE BODY DIMENSIONS (MINIMUM)

 A door handle must not be lower than the highest standing knuckle, height in a
population so that all users can open the door without bending.

 The width of a chair must not be narrower than the hip breadth of a large person.
The height of a doorway must not be lower than the stature of a tall man (plus an allowance
for clothing and shoes).

 DETERMINING THE BODY DIMENSION (MAXIMUM)

 A door lock must not be higher than the maximum vertical reach of a small person.

 Seat heights and depths must not exceed the maximum height and buttock–knee
lengths of small users.

 . PRINCIPLES IN ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA

 There are three principles for applying anthropometric data to specific design
problems;

 1. Design For Extreme Individuals

 2. Design For Adjustable Range

 3. Design For The Average

3. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

 Criteria of judgment of design features of physical equipment and facilities

 Comfort

 Work performance

 Safety, physical effects

 Equipment's are of three kinds

 Spaces into which men fit

 Tools or controls which men use

 Protective clothing and devices

4. SPACES

 One of the applications of anthropometric data is the design of work spaces, including
the work- space envelopes.

 The limits of the work-space envelope for seated personnel are determined by
functional arm reach, which is influenced by

 Presence of any restraints

 Apparel worn

 Angle of back
  ADVANTAGES OF ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA

 Increase accuracy

 Reduce Fatigue

 Better comfort

 Reduce chance of injuries

 Time management

Types of Anthropometric data

1. Structural Anthropometric data

2. Functional Anthropometric data

 Structural Anthropometric data are measurements of the bodily dimensions of subjects

in a fixed ( static) position. These consist of :

 Measurement are made from one clearly identifiable anatomical landmark to

another or to a fixed point in space (i.e. Eye level height from floor)

 To specify furniture dimensions.

 Functional Anthropometric data are taken under conditions in which the body is
engaged in some physical activity.

 Design of crane cabs

 Design of vehicle interiors

ANTHROPOMETRIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

 GENERAL GUIDELINES

 The following three principles provide guidelines for using anthropometric data in design.

 1. Design For Adjustable Ranges

 2. Design For Extremes

 3. Design For Average users

1. Design for Adjustable Ranges

 a) Provide a range of adjustments especially when health and safety issues are
involved (i.e., driving a car, working in office)

 b) Mitigate the likelihood of eliminating sections of the user population due to design
limitations, by increasing ranges through adjustability.

2. Design for Extremes

 a) Design for maximum value of design features (i.e., height of doors, size of buttons)
or design for minimum value of design features (i.e., distance from controls).

 b) Traditionally extremes have been addressed by designing for :

i. 5th percentile female

ii. 95th percentile male

3. Design for Average users

 a) Use 50th percentile figures for relevant dimensions.

 b) This strategy is only acceptable when you are primarily concerned with one
dimension and health and safety is not a significant issue (i.e., auditorium seats).


 POSTURE

“A vertical line, drawn through the Centre of gravity of the body, must fall with in the
body’s base of support.”

Centre of gravity (COG):

 The point at which the mass of a body or object is centered; when weight on all sides is
equal

• What is posture?

• Posture is defined as the attitude assumed by the body either with support during the
course of muscular activity, or as a result of the coordinated action performed by a group
of muscles working to maintain the stability.

• There are two types

1. Dynamic posture is how you hold yourself when you are moving, like when you are
walking, running, or bending over to pick up something. It is usually required to form an
efficient basis for movement. Muscles and non-contractile structures have to work to
adapt to changing circumstances.

2. Static posture is how you hold yourself when you are not moving, like when you are
sitting, standing, or sleeping. Body segments are aligned and maintained in fixed
positions. This is usually achieved by co-ordination and interaction of various muscle
groups which are working statically to counteract gravity and other forces.

Optimal posture

 It is important to make sure that you have good dynamic and static posture.

Posture Assessment

 The key to good posture is the position of the spine.

 The spine has three natural curves - at your neck, mid/upper back, and lower
back.
 Correct posture should maintain these curves, but not increase them.
 Your head should be above your shoulders, and the top of your shoulder should be
over the hips.

PROBLEMS

 Many musculoskeletal problems to the users

 Low efficiency and productivity
 Most commonly affected part of the body due to poor posture is the backbone

Unnatural curve of Natural curve of

Spinal Cord Spinal Cord
 • In an ideal posture, the line of gravity should pass through specific points of the body.

• This can simply be observed or evaluated using a plumb line to assess the midline of
the body.

• When viewed from either the front or the back, the vertical line passing through the
body's centre of gravity should theoretically bisect the body into two equal halves,
with the bodyweight distributed evenly between the two feet.

• While assessing posture, symmetry and rotations/tilts should be observed in the

anterior, lateral and posterior views. Assess:

• Head alignment

• Cervical, thoracic and lumbar curvature

• Shoulder level symmetry

• Pelvic symmetry

• Hip, knee and ankle joints

Working Posture

 A good working posture is one which requires a minimum of static muscular effort.
Here the work performance will be better and the body discomfort will be less.
 The work should be done in a standing posture instead of bending or squatting
posture.

POOR BODY POSTURE

 Poor body posture and movement can lead to local mechanical stress on the muscles,
ligaments and joints
 Resulting in complaints of the neck, back, shoulder and other body parts of
musculoskeletal system

Biomechanical Principles for Adopting Posture

 The joints should be kept as far as possible in natural position

 The work should be kept closed to the body Forward bending should be avoided

 Twisted trunk should be avoided

 Sudden movements and forces produces peak stress

 Alternating the posture yields good results

 The duration of continuous muscular effort should be reduced