Anthropometry Flashcards
What is Anthropometry?
This science deals with the measurement of size, mass, shape, and inertial properties of the human body for occupational, recreational, and design purposes.
Where was the word Anthropometry derived from?
Anthropos - man
Metron - measure
What is Anthropometry concerned with?
Anthropometry is concerned with the physical sizes and shapes of humans
How is anthropometry involved in the ergonomic approach to design?
User-centred design
Fitting the person to the job
What is a user-centred design?
Achieve the best match between product, user and task
Optimize the design between these three
How are user-centred designs empirical?
Capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment
Explain how user-centred designs are iterative (cyclical process)
- research of empirical studies (get most anthropometric measurements from this)
- Design Phase
- Evaluate design empirically
How/why should user center designs be participative?
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!!!
How is a user-centred
design pragmatic?
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
What are the two sections anthropometry can be divided into?
physical/static
functional/dynamic
What is physical/static anthropometry?
Obtained when the body is in a fixed position
Consists of skeletal dimensions between landmarks or contour dimensions
What is the functional or dynamic section of anthropometry?
Obtained when the body is engaged in physical activity
The “functional” dimension reflects a composite of different body segments functioning together.
What does a physical analysis suggest?
only the measurements of the body segment lengths in fixed positions need to be considered in the design of workplaces.
What is anthropometric data?
Results obtained from these methods are statistical data that can be applied in the design of products, clothing, occupational, and recreational environments.
What are assumptions we make with anthropometic data?
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
Why do we use anthropometry?
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
What is the solution to the variability issues with anthropometric data?
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
What is the standard range for relevant characteristics of specific user groups?
5th to 95th percentile
Why should we design something with adjustable ranges?
Mitigates the likelihood of eliminating sections of the user population due to design limitations.
Adjustability vs. Fixed Sizes
- determine critical dimensions, then design mechanisms of adjustability with emphasis on ease of operation
ex: helmets, harnesses, bikes, and car seats
What is the myth of the average human?
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.
What planes are more commonly used when obtaining anthropometric measures
Frontal, Saggital, Transverse
What are some examples of a design for minimum dimension?
- Used to accommodate largest individuals
- width of a grocery aisle
- width of a chair
- escape hatch in airplane
- clearance dimensions
What are some examples of a design for maximum dimension?
- Used to accommodate the smallest individuals
- a fire alarm
- bus seat height and depth
- reach dimensions
What are the steps when taking measurements on a subject that is seated?
- 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
