Anthropometry

Fundamentals of Anthropometry and Measurement Anthropometry is the science that addresses the measurement and/or characterization of the human body, either individually or for populations. Engineering anthropometry is more application oriented, specifically incorporating human measures in design Examples include placement of a control so that most individuals can reach it, grip sizing for a hand-held tool, and height of a conveyor. Within ergonomics, anthropometric measures can be classified as either static or functional. The former are fundamental and generally fixed measures, such as the length of an arm or a body segment moment of inertia. Such static data are widely available from public and commercial sources. Functional measures are obtained during performance of some task or activity and may thus depend on several individual factors (e.g., training, experience, motivation). These latter measures are specific to the measurement situation and are hence relatively limited. Despite the availability of static measures, it is the functional measures that are directly relevant in design. The remainder of this section provides an overview of applied anthropometric methods. Results from anthropometry will also be critical in subsequent sections that address mechanical loading during task performance.

Static anthropometric measures are of four types: linear dimensions (e.g., body segment lengths), masses or weights, mass center locations, and moments of inertia. Linear dimensions can be obtained quite simply using tape measures or calipers, with more advanced recent approaches using three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning. A key issue with respect to linear dimensions is the differentiation between surface landmarks and underlying joint centers of rotation. The former are easily located (e.g., the lateral and medial boney ‘‘knobs’’ above the ankle joint), and methods have been developed to translate these to estimates of underlying joint centers that are required for biomechanical modeling (Section 2.4).

Mass (and/or volume) measures are often obtained using liquid immersion, though as

noted above, recent scanning methods are also being employed. Locations of segment (or whole-body) center of mass can also be obtained using liquid immersion and a number of segmental balance methods. Segment moments of inertia are usually obtained using dynamical tests, where oscillatory frequencies are obtained during natural swinging or following a quick release. Representative geometric solids (e.g., a truncated cone) can also be used to model body parts and obtain analytical estimates.

Maury A. Nussbaum

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, Virginia

Jaap H. van Diee¨n

Faculty of Human Movement Sciences

Vrije Universiteit

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Mechanical Engineers’ Handbook: Materials and Mechanical Design, Volume 1, Third Edition.

Edited by Myer Kutz

Copyright  2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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