Anthropometry

Question 1

What is Anthropometry?

Answer 1

This science deals with the measurement of size, mass, shape, and inertial properties of the human body for occupational, recreational, and design purposes.

Question 2

Where was the word Anthropometry derived from?

Answer 2

Anthropos - man
Metron - measure

Question 3

What is Anthropometry concerned with?

Answer 3

Anthropometry is concerned with the physical sizes and shapes of humans

Question 4

How is anthropometry involved in the ergonomic approach to design?

Answer 4

User-centred design
Fitting the person to the job

Question 5

What is a user-centred design?

Answer 5

Achieve the best match between product, user and task
Optimize the design between these three

Question 6

How are user-centred designs empirical?

Answer 6

Capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment

Question 7

Explain how user-centred designs are iterative (cyclical process)

Answer 7

1. research of empirical studies (get most anthropometric measurements from this)
2. Design Phase
3. Evaluate design empirically

Question 8

How/why should user center designs be participative?

Answer 8

End-user should be included in the design process (has a much better understanding of the environment and task at hand)

Best to have employee present when redesigning an environment

Non-Procrustean – deals with people as they are rather than as they might be → FJP!!!

Question 9

How is a user-centred
design pragmatic?

Answer 9

Recognizes there may be limits to what is reasonably practical

Financial or spacing limitations

Seeks to reach the best possible outcome within the constraints imposed by these limits
Cost-benefit analysis → what can we do now to save us money in the future

Question 10

What are the two sections anthropometry can be divided into?

Answer 10

physical/static
functional/dynamic

Question 11

What is physical/static anthropometry?

Answer 11

Obtained when the body is in a fixed position
Consists of skeletal dimensions between landmarks or contour dimensions

Question 12

What is the functional or dynamic section of anthropometry?

Answer 12

Obtained when the body is engaged in physical activity

The “functional” dimension reflects a composite of different body segments functioning together.

Question 13

What does a physical analysis suggest?

Answer 13

only the measurements of the body segment lengths in fixed positions need to be considered in the design of workplaces.

Question 14

What is anthropometric data?

Answer 14

Results obtained from these methods are statistical data that can be applied in the design of products, clothing, occupational, and recreational environments.

Question 15

What are assumptions we make with anthropometic data?

Answer 15

We assume the population and parameter/measurement of interest follows a normal distribution

Have to take measurements with a large population

Range settings: 5th and 95th percentile
Low to high end
Accounts for a vast majority of the population

Question 16

Why do we use anthropometry?

Answer 16

Natural postures and movements are essential for life and efficient work

Our surroundings should be suited to those in it

Have to factor in all considerations that group in as many people as possible

Question 17

What is the solution to the variability issues with anthropometric data?

Answer 17

Custom-fit each individual
The best approach in terms of fit/comfort/safety, but laborious and expensive

Have several fixed sizes
A reasonable solution, but all sizes must be available and “between-sized” individuals may not be accommodated

Make it adjustable
Most practical and best way to go
An approach that usually provides the best fit for all people

Design for the extremes
Appropriate solution when safety is the greatest concern
Ex: door knob has be design for smallest individual → discomfort for one person and a safety issue for the other extreme
Accommodating for 2 sides of the spectrum while incorporation everyone else

Select people whose bodies fit the existing design
Least appropriate solution
Should be avoided as much as possible → FJP

Question 18

What is the standard range for relevant characteristics of specific user groups?

Answer 18

5th to 95th percentile

Question 19

Why should we design something with adjustable ranges?

Answer 19

Mitigates the likelihood of eliminating sections of the user population due to design limitations.
Adjustability vs. Fixed Sizes

1. determine critical dimensions, then design mechanisms of adjustability with emphasis on ease of operation
   ex: helmets, harnesses, bikes, and car seats

Question 20

What is the myth of the average human?

Answer 20

the average user is often referred to as a mythical being because there is no known person whose body dimensions per segment all fall within the 50th percentile

Thus, the goal to design for the average user should be abandoned and statistical ranges or percentiles should be used to guide design decisions.

Question 21

What planes are more commonly used when obtaining anthropometric measures

Answer 21

Frontal, Saggital, Transverse

Question 22

What are some examples of a design for minimum dimension?

Answer 22

• Used to accommodate largest individuals
• width of a grocery aisle
• width of a chair
• escape hatch in airplane
• clearance dimensions

Question 23

What are some examples of a design for maximum dimension?

Answer 23

• Used to accommodate the smallest individuals
• a fire alarm
• bus seat height and depth
• reach dimensions

Question 24

What are the steps when taking measurements on a subject that is seated?

Answer 24

• seat and floor must be parallel and horizontal
• the knees need to be bent at a 90deg angle
• thighs need to be placed in horizontal position and legs need to be placed in a vertical position
• feet have to be horizontal and flat on the ground

Question 25

What are the four traditional positions for static measurements?

Answer 25

Standing upright naturally
Standing upright erect
Standing against a wall
Lying supine

Question 26

What are the additional measurements for anthropometric measurements?

Answer 26

10 cm for walking
5 cm for general safety