Lecture 3 - Anthropometry 2

Question 1

engineering factors to consider when finding dynamic anthropometric data

Answer 1

Physical body size
- > static and function movement

Strength
- > is the movement isometric or dynamic
- > consider MVC joint torques

Biomechanical/inertial properties
- > segment mass
- > segment centre of gravity
- > muscle attachment sits and lever arms
- > failure stresses of ligaments, tendons, bones, ect.

Question 2

what are the two basic strategies we use when dealing with anthropometry to build a better workplace

Answer 2

1. Selection
   - > fit the person to the job
   * don’t want to do this
2. Job modification
   - > fit the job to the person
   * this is done by minimizing the number of people excluded from ideal work conditions

Question 3

factors to consider when choosing the percentile of the population, related to a specific factor,

Answer 3

• > balance seriousness of exclusion with cost inclusion
• > when deciding the percentile that you’re working with, you must consider who you’re excluding (if you use the mean, you’re still excluding half the population)

Question 4

example of when to use upper and lower percentile

Answer 4

Upper (a door tall people can’t fit under)
Lower (a task requiring manual dexterity
Both (intelligence test for factory job)

Question 5

population dimensions to consider when creating a product

Answer 5

• > you must define the user population
• > consider the source of population dimensions

Question 6

body planes

Answer 6

Saggital
- > divides body into L/R

Coronal(frontal)
- > divides info front and back

Transvers
- > divides into top and bottom

Question 7

is stature a good measurement to use

Answer 7

most body dimensions do not correlate well with stature, be careful when predicting other dimensions from stature

Question 8

variations in strength across populations and within the human body

Answer 8

we must be aware of general trends when analyzing data
- > females can. generate an average of 63% of the isometric strength of males (if you don’t have any female data then you can use 93% of obtained male data; this is a very tricky number to use)
- > the strength of specific muscle groups can vary significantly (i.e. leg generates approx 3x the strength of arm; dominant hand may have 40-50% more strength than the other)

Question 9

what is personal space (in the workforce)

Answer 9

the space between the individual and their workspace and/or other workers
Intimate - > 0 - 18in
Personal - > 18 - 48in
Social - > 4 - 12ft
Public - > . 12ft
*boundaries vary with gender, familiarity, and culture

Question 10

what factors should you consider when considering how the workforce has changed over the last few decades

Answer 10

• > birthrate is declining
• > longer work hours
• > delayed retirement
• > older workers must be considered