Anthropometry

Although its underlying concept is a relatively simple one—the measurement of the human body and its parts—anthropometry employs a myriad of methods and instruments, and is useful for a variety of purposes, from understanding the impact of disease on individuals to tracking changes in populations over time. The first interdisciplinary reference on the subject, the Handbook of Anthropometry brings this wide-ranging field together: basic theory and highly specialized topics in normal and abnormal anthropometry in terms of health, disease prevention, and intervention. Over 140 self-contained chapters cover up-to-date indices, the latest studies on computerized methods, shape-capturing systems, and bioelectrical impedance, data concerning single tissues and whole-body variables, and reports from different areas of the world. Chapters feature helpful charts and illustrations, cross-references to related chapters are included, and key points are presented in bullet form for ease of comprehension. Together, the Handbook’s thirteen sections entail all major aspects of anthropometrical practice and research, including: Tools and techniques. Developmental stages, from fetus to elder. Genetic diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Exercise and nutrition. Ethnic, cultural, and geographic populations. Special conditions and circumstances. The Handbook of Anthropometry is an invaluable addition to the reference libraries of a broad spectrum of health professionals, among them health scientists, physicians, physiologists, nutritionists, dieticians, nurses, public health researchers, epidemiologists, exercise physiologists, and physical therapists. It is also useful to college-level students and faculty in the health disciplines, as well as to policymakers and ergonomists.

This edition has been revised to bring fresh insights into the principles and practice of anthropometrics, workspace design, sitting and seating, hands and handles, ergonomics in the office, ergonomics in the home, and health and safety at work.

Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design, Second Edition, reviews techniques in anthropometry, sizing system developments, and their applications to clothing design. The book addresses the need for the improved characterization of population size, weights and the shapes of consumers. This new edition presents the very latest advances, and is expanded to include in-depth coverage of sizing and fit for specific groups and applications. Sections cover the development of sizing systems, classification and body types, the use of anthropometric data, body measurement devices and techniques, including 3D scanners for the full body and for particular body parts, 4D scanning technology and motion analysis. Additional sections cover testing and the evaluation of fit and anthropometric sizing systems for particular functions, thus reflecting the increasing need for apparel to meet specific needs, such as in swimwear, protective clothing, mobility, intimate apparel, footwear and compression garments. This book will be an essential reference source for apparel designers, manufacturers, retailers and merchandisers. Its detailed information and data will also be of great interest to researchers and postgraduate students across clothing technology, product design, fashion and textiles. Reviews methods and techniques in anthropometry, sizing system development, and applications in clothing design Enables users to understand and utilize detailed anthropometric data Covers sizing and fit for particular uses, including protective clothing, compression garments, intimate apparel and footwear

Today, human factors and ergonomics professionals worldwide contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments, and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities, and limitations of people. By understanding anthropometry, professionals can ensure that our home and working environments are comfortable and designed with the human in mind. This book aims to show how an understanding of anthropometrics can influence workspace design, ergonomics in the office, ergonomics in the home, and health and safety at work. This book discusses the measurement of the human body and human variability. Anthropometry may seem to be relatively simple but the reality is that it focuses on very sophisticated aspects of how to make the products tailor-made to suit specific requirements. As a study, it is useful for a variety of purposes such as workspace design, ergonomics in the office, ergonomics in the home, and health and safety at work. These eleven chapters investigate anthropometrics and bridge the gap between theory and practice. Each chapter is supported by tables, charts, and illustrations, and a wide list of bibliographic references. The reader will develop new insights into the principles and practice of anthropometrics with this book bringing the topic right up to date. Anthropometry: Human Body Measurements and How to Use Them will be of interest to students, graduates, teachers, researchers, and general workers in industrial design, ergonomics, rehabilitation, safety, and health.

Anthropometry is the measurement of human morphology. This book discusses its uses and problems.

Assessment of the physical dimensions of the human body and application of this knowledge to the design of tools, equip ment, and work are certainly among the oldest arts and sciences. It would be an easy task if all anthropometric dimensions, of all people, would follow a general rule. Thus, philosophers and artists embedded their ideas about the most aesthetic proportions into ideal schemes of perfect proportions. "Golden sections" were developed in ancient India, China, Egypt, and Greece, and more recently by Leonardo DaVinci, or Albrecht Durer. However, such canons are fictive since actual human dimensions and proportions vary greatly among individuals. The different physical appearances often have been associated with mental, physiological and behavioral characteristics of the individuals. Hypocrates (about 460-377 BC) taught that there are four temperaments (actually, body fluids) represented by four body types. The psychiatrist Ernst Kretchmer (1888-1964) proposed that three typical somatotypes (pyknic, athletic, aesthenic) could reflect human character traits. Since the 1940's, W. H. Sheldon and his coworkers devised a system of three body physiques (endo-, meso-, ectomorphic). The classification was originally qualitative, and only recently has been developed to include actual measurements.