Module 3: Physical Ergonomics -

Anthropometry
Engr. Suzette M. Mercado, PIE, Asean Eng

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – Industrial Engineering Department

 Outline

⊳ Introduction
⊳ Learning Objectives
⊳ What is Anthropometry?
⊳ History of Anthropometry
⊳ The Human Body
⊳ Anthropometric Measurement
⊳ Anthropometric Design
⊳ Reference
⊳ Questions for Discussion
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 Introduction
A basic idea in ergonomics is to design workstations that are comfortable, suitable, and productive
to do work. Ideally, workstations should be designed to fit both the body and the mind of the operator.
Thus, anthropometry is a very important branch of ergonomics. It stands alongside cognitive ergonomics
(which deals with information processing), environmental ergonomics, and a variety of other identifiable
subdisciplines of ergonomics which progress towards the same overall end. This module is primarily
concerned with the anthropometric side of ergonomics: that is, with matching the physical system and
dimensions of the product or workstation to those of its user; and likewise with matching the physical
demands of the working task to the capacities of the workforce. It will also cover the use of
anthropometric design principles to accommodate people of different body sizes and demonstrate how
adjustability of products like chairs, stools and benches as well as task arrangements can help to find
physical comfort at a workstation.
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 Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module the students will be able to:

1. Describe the concept and importance of anthropometry.
2. Demonstrate skills in collecting relevant anthropometric data
through laboratory work.

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 1
What is Anthropometry?

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 What is Anthropometry?

⊳ The word ‘anthropometry’ means measurement of the human body. It is derived

from the Greek words ‘anthropos’ (man) and ‘metron’ (measure).
⊳ Anthropometric data are used in ergonomics to specify the physical dimensions
of workspaces, equipment, furniture and clothing to ensure that physical
mismatches between the dimensions of equipment and products and the
corresponding user dimensions are avoided.
⊳ Anthropometry, the study of human body measurement, is used in engineering
to ensure the maximum benefit and capability of products that people use.

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 “
In physical anthropology, refers to the measurement of the
human individual for the purposes of understanding human
physical variation.

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 What is Anthropometry?

⊳ To use anthropometry knowledge effectively, it is also important to have

knowledge of the relationships between the body and the items worn or used.
The study of these relationships is called fit mapping.
⊳ Databases containing both anthropometry and fit-mapping data can be used as a
lessons-learned source for development of new products.
⊳ Therefore, anthropometry and fit mapping can be thought of as an information
core around which products are designed.

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 What is Anthropometry?

⊳ Anthropometric
information as a design
core.

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 What is Anthropometry?

⊳ Anthropometric measurements are essential when designing devices and/or systems to fit
the users or employees.
⊳ For example, almost everyone would expect doors in building to be well above 6 feet
(1.83 m) tall, because we are well aware that many people exceed 6 feet in height.
⊳ How large should the diameter of a screwdriver handle be, if you want the human hand,
including fingers and the thumb, to surround the circumference?
⊳ Or suppose that you are designing eye-glasses and you want the hinges outboard of the
glass frames to be slightly smaller than the width of the human head just above the ears.
⊳ What size do you need?
⊳ Clearly, people who design products for the human body need to know something about
the wide variety of body sizes.
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 2
History of Anthropometry

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 History of Anthropometry

⊳ In 1844 Adolpe Quetelet published a statistical analysis of the chest sizes of 5000
Scottish soldiers. This was the birth of the science of anthropometry.
⊳ In 1853 he organised the first international statistics conference, and later devised
the Quetelet index (also called body mass index) which is used to measure obesity.
⊳ The science involving the quantitative measurement of the human body.
⊳ First applied to the bone structures of early man, then later to the study of the races
and ethnic groups of modern man.
⊳ Developments accelerated during WWII due to the need to design better aircraft
cockpits.
⊳ In the last 20 years it has become a basic tool of all consumer product development
programs.
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 Some terminology:
⊳ Height: a straight line point-to-point vertical measurement
⊳ Breadth: a straight line point-to-point horizontal measurement running across the
body or segment
⊳ Depth: a straight line, point-to-point horizontal measurement running for-aft along
the body
⊳ Distance: a straight line, point-to-point measurement between body landmarks
⊳ Curvature: a point-to-point measurement following a contour; this measurement is
usually neither closed nor circular
⊳ Circumference: a closed measurement that follows a body contour; this
measurement is not circular
⊳ Reach: a point-to-point measurement following the long axis of the arm or leg
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 3
The Human Body

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 Body sizes differ

⊳ All humans have similar bodies

⊳ Bodies of people evolve to meet special circumstances
⊳ Unique climates, special diets, athletic training
⊳ Differences in bodies within the species of mankind
⊳ Recognize these differences to accommodate individuality
⊳ The following address these differences:
▸ Body Sizes
▸ Mobility
▸ Muscular Work
▸ Body strength and load handling
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 Body sizes differ

⊳ We all experience changes in body size: quick growth during childhood followed
by a period of fairly constant dimensions during adulthood for about 20–40 or
more years until final variations come with ageing.
⊳ As a rule, men grow to be taller as adults than women do.
⊳ During any of the age periods, some persons are smaller or bigger than their peers
are and body proportions can differ widely among individuals.

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 Body sizes differ

⊳ People come in all shapes and sizes so you need to take these
physical characteristics into account whenever you design
anything that someone will use, from something as simple as a
pencil to something as complex as a car.

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 Body sizes differ

⊳ People come in all shapes and sizes so you need to take these
physical characteristics into account whenever you design
anything that someone will use, from something as simple as a
pencil to something as complex as a car.

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 4
Anthropometric Measurement

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 How to measure

Anthropometry Step-by-Step
1. Decide who you are designing for
2. Decide which body measurements are relevant
3. Decide whether you are designing for the 'average’ or extremes percentiles.
▸ Anthropometric measures are usually expressed as percentiles.
▸ Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they tell you whether
the measurement given in the tables relates to the 'average' person, or
someone who is above or below average in a certain dimension.
4. Think about other human factors

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Anthropometric Measuring Tools

Anthropometer Goniometer Tape

Medical scale
Sliding Calipers: large and
small

Spreading Caliper
 How to measure

⊳ May need more specific measurements than just height and weight
⊳ Traditional method – taking measurements with handheld devices
⊳ Emerging technique records 3D dimensions of the human body (Photograph)
⊳ Laser – can be used as a distance measuring device to determine the shape of irregular
bodies
⊳ Computer models of the human body – requirement for anthropometric data have become
more complex

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 How to measure

⊳ Stick-person – the 17th century concept of Borelli, in their considerations of body mass
properties and analysis of the biomechanics of a gun-firing infantryman.
⊳ Mathematical statistical techniques – are available to locate specific landmarks and
describe 3D surfaces in terms of “facet algorithms” (defines flats, peaks, pits, ridges,
ravines, saddles, and hillsides of the human body)

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 No “Average Person”

⊳ Problems with average data

⊳ Can’t base designs of the average because
too small for some and too large for others
⊳ Need to take into account the extremes
⊳ Need to understand the “normal”
distribution
⊳ Statistically analyze a distribution curve
⊳ “bell curve” or Gaussian curve
⊳ Majority cluster in the middle and outliers
on either end represent extremes
Anthropometric data are
usually normally distributed.
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 Average and Standard Deviation

⊳ Average is the measure of the middle or expected value of a data set

⊳ The standard deviation is a statistic that tells you how tightly all the various
examples are clustered around the mean in a set of data
⊳ With tightly bunched data, the bell-shaped curve is steep, the standard deviation
is small
⊳ With spread apart data, the bell curve is relatively flat, the standard deviation is
large
⊳ Smaller SD = more reliable data

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 Explanation of Percentile Measures

⊳ Anthropometric data are usually normally distributed. A normal distribution is characterized

by its mean value (M) and its standard deviation (SD). If we know these two values of
distribution, it is possible to calculate any percentile value.
Percentile Description
5th 5% of the population is smaller
50th Average value
95th 95% of the population is smaller

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 Anthropometric Measures

⊳ The anthropometric measures illustrate that there are large differences

between genders.
⊳ For many measures, the 5th percentile (small) male is about the same size as
the 50th percentile (average) female
⊳ This measure is important for the design of hand tools that will fit the size of
the tool to the size of the hand.
⊳ For example, women often complain that they have to use hand tools
designed for men, resulting in muscle fatigue of the hand and the arm, lower
productivity, and possibly injuries as well
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 Anthropometric Measures

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 Anthropometric Measures

1. Tibial height. This measure is important for manual materials handling. Items located
between the tibial height and the knuckle height must usually be picked up from a
stooped position.
2. Knuckle height. This height represents the lowest level at which an operator can
handle an object without having to bend the knees or the back. The range between the
knuckle height and the shoulder height is ideal for manual materials handling and should
be used in industry.
3. Elbow height. This is an important marker for determining work height and table
height.
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 Anthropometric Measures
4. Shoulder (acromion) height. Objects located above shoulder height are difficult to lift,
since relatively weaker muscles are employed. There is also an increased risk of dropping
items.
5. Stature. This is used to determine the minimum overhead clearance required to avoid head
collision.
6. Functional overhead reach. This is used to determine the maximum height of overhead
controls.
7. Functional forward reach. Items that are often used within the workstation should be
located within the functional reach.
8. Buttock-knee depth. This defines the seat depth for chairs and clearance under the
worktable. 30
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 Anthropometric Measures
9. Buttock-popliteal depth. This is used to determine the length of the seat pad.
10. Popliteal height. This is used to determine the range of adjustability for adjustable chairs.
11. Thigh clearance. Sitting elbow height and thigh clearance help to define how thick the
table top and the top drawer can be.
12. Sitting elbow height. Sitting elbow height and popliteal height help to
define table height.
13. Sitting eye height. Visual displays should be located below the horizontal plane defined
by the eye height.
14. Sitting height. This is used to determine the vertical clearance required for a seated work
posture. 31
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 Anthropometric Measures

15. Hip breadth. This is used to determine the breadth of chairs and whole body access
for clearance.
16. Elbow-to-elbow breadth. This is used to determine the width of seat backs and the
distance between arm rests.
17. Grip breadth, inside diameter. This is used to determine the circumference of hand
tools and the separation of handles.
18. Interpupillary distance. This is an important measure in determining the adjustability
of eyepieces on microscopes.

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Anthropometric
Measurement

⊳ Standard
anthropometric data
for Filipinos

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Anthropometric
Measurement

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Anthropometric Measurement

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Anthropometric Measurement

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Anthropometric Measurement

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- Z Table

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+Z Table

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 5
Anthropometric Design

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – Industrial Engineering Department

What you are designing and who you are
designing it for:

⊳ Deciding whether to use the 5th, 50th or 95th percentile

value depends on what you are designing and who you are
designing it for.
⊳ Usually, you will find that if you pick the right percentile,
95% of people will be able to use your design.

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What you are designing and who you are
designing it for:

⊳ For instance, if you were choosing a door height, you would

choose the dimension of people's height (often called 'stature'
in anthropometry tables) and pick the 95th percentile value.
⊳ In other words, you would design for the taller people. You
wouldn't need to worry about the average height people, or
the 5th percentile ones they would be able to fit through the
door anyway.
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What you are designing and who you are
designing it for:

⊳ At the other end of the scale, if you were designing an

airplane cockpit, and needed to make sure everyone could
reach a particular control, you would choose 5th percentile
arm length, because the people with the short arms are the
ones who are most challenging to design for. If they could
reach the control, everyone else (with longer arms) would be
able to.
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 Anthropometric Design
What is it that you are aiming for Examples of measurements to Users that your design
Design examples:
with your design? consider: should accommodate: 
Easy reach Vehicle dashboards, Arm length, Smallest user: 5th percentile
Shelving Shoulder height
Adequate clearance to avoid unwanted Manholes, Shoulder or hip width, Largest user: 95th percentile
contact or trapping Cinema seats Thigh length
A good match between the user and the Seats, Knee-floor height, Head Maximum range: 5th to 95th
product Cycle helmets, circumference, Weight percentile
Pushchairs
A comfortable and safe posture Lawnmowers, Elbow height, Maximum range: 5th to 95th
Monitor positions, Sitting eye height, percentile
Worksurface heights Elbow height (sitting or standing?)
Easy operation Screw bottle tops, Grip strength, Smallest or weakest user: 5th
Door handles, Hand width, percentile
Light switches Height

To ensure that an item can't be reached Machine guarding mesh, Finger width Smallest user: 5th percentile
or operated Distance of railings from Largest user: 95th percentile
hazard Arm length
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 “
Sometimes you can't accommodate all your users because there are
conflicting solutions to your design. In this case, you will have to make a
judgment about what is the most important feature. You must never
compromise safety though, and if there is a real risk of injury, you may
have to use more extreme percentiles (1%ile or 99%ile or more) to make
sure that everyone is protected (not just 95% of people). Can you see that
in the last section of the table above, 1%ile and 99%ile would be safer?

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 Design Principles

1. Custom fit each individual

2. Have several fixed sizes
3. Make it adjustable
4. Design for the extreme bodies; assures any individual can:
Operate a gadget
Fit through any opening
Cannot pass through a dangerous opening
5. Select those persons whose bodies fit the existing design
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 Fit a Range

⊳ Principle/Solution 2 and 3 are the most common

⊳ Allow us to select a body size range we intend to accommodate
⊳ Aim to accommodate the central 90%
⊳ Exclude the top and bottom 5%; total 10% extreme sizes

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 Select Design Limits

⊳ Minimum and maximum depend on design purpose

⊳ Several sizes (solution 2)
Ready made clothing
⊳ Adjustment features within a range (solution 3)
Shoes with laces
Office chairs
⊳ Statics and dynamics
Data collected is often in a static position
Movement must be taken into account with designs
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 Procedure for anthropometric design

1. Characterize the user population. What anthropometric data are available? Can existing
anthropometric data be used with the present population? If there are no valid data, consider
creating a database by obtaining measures of the existing workforce.
2. Determine the percentile range to be accommodated in the workstation design. If the
workforce is dominated by either men or women it would make sense to design for the
predominant gender, for example by using 5th to 95th percentile male or 5 th to 95th percentile
female measures. On the other hand, it may be an issue of equality to provide accessibility for
the other gender group. If so, one would design from the 5th percentile female to the 95th
percentile male population.

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 Procedure for anthropometric design

3. Let the small person reach and let the large person fit. Determine reach dimensions (5 th
percentile) and clearance dimensions (95th percentile) for the work situation that is analyzed.
▸ An example is given in Figure 1. In this manufacturing task, the operator is sitting on a
chair with his or her hands at elbow level and manipulating objects 6 cm above the table
height. Two important reach measures are the popliteal height from the chair seat to the
floor and the buttock-popliteal depth. Operators should not sit with dangling feet but
should be able to reach the floor. An adjustable chair must therefore adjust to a low level
corresponding to the 5th percentile. The buttock-popliteal depth should be the 5 th
percentile. If it is longer, a small operator will not be able to reach to the back support
with his or her back.
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 Procedure for anthropometric design

A clearance dimension (D)

is created under the table.
Assuming that the table is
height adjustable and can
be lowered 10 cm below
elbow height, it still needs
to be determined if there is
enough space for the
thighs.

Figure 1. Anthropometric measures used to calculate the adjustability of

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seat height and table height.
U.S. Civilian Body Dimensions in cm
of Relevance for Workplace Design

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U.S. Civilian Body Dimensions in cm
of Relevance for Workplace Design

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 Procedure for anthropometric design

4. Find the anthropometric measures that correspond to the workstation measures. The
calculations for the 5th percentile female and the 95th percentile male operator are shown in
Figure 1.
5. It is sometimes difficult to illustrate a work situation using an anthropometric model.
Anthropometric measures are static, and in the real world there are many dynamic elements.

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 Example 1
⊳ Using Figure 1, the anthropometric measures are added starting from the floor level. Using the
popliteal height and adding 4 cm for shoes, the required range of seat height adjustability is
calculated to be 39.5–52.5 cm. The sitting elbow height for the 5th percentile operator is 18.1 cm
and for the 95th percentile operator 29.4 cm. From the sitting elbow height, deduct the thickness of
the product (6 cm). This means that the distance from the chair seat to the top of the table is 12.1 cm
for the 5th percentile and 23.4 cm for the 95th percentile. Adding these measures to the seat-height
adjustability gives a required table height adjustability of 51.6–75.9 cm (or 52–76 cm).
⊳ Bearing in mind the thickness of the table top, we find that for the 5th percentile there is 8.1 cm of
clearance between the chair seat and the table and for the 95th percentile there is 19.4 cm of
clearance. Since the thigh clearance is 10.6 and 17.7 cm, respectively, a small female operator will
not have enough space, but a large male will be able to fit his legs under the table.
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Example 2

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Solution

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 Anthropometry in Workstation Design

⊳ The design of workstations is fairly simple and does not require any elaborate measurements.
A standing workstation for assembly work can be designed using two to three measures, such
as standing elbow height, arm reach, and eye height. For a sitting workstation, measures of
popliteal height, sitting elbow height, eye height, and thigh clearance are important. These
are also the measures that are used in designing adjustable furniture. Other measures such as
shoulder breath and buttock breadth do not affect adjustability design, since a chair must be
made wide enough to accommodate all users.
⊳ Unlike clothes which must fit the user, it does not matter if the backseat is a bit too large.

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⊳ Examples of
Design
Guidelines for
Disabled Users

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 ISO Guidelines

⊳ ISO 7250-1:2017. Basic human body measurements for technological design —

Part 1: Body measurement definitions and landmarks
⊳ ISO 14738, Safety of machinery — Anthropometric requirements for the design
of workstations at machinery
⊳ ISO 15534 (all parts), Ergonomic design for the safety of machinery
⊳ ISO 15535, General requirements for establishing anthropometric databases
⊳ ISO 20685, 3-D scanning methodologies for internationally compatible
anthropometric databases
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 References:

Lehto, M. R., Landry, S.J., Introduction to Human factors and Ergonomics for Engineers, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2013
https://www.pdfdrive.com/fitting-the-human-introduction-to-ergonomics-human-factors-engineering-e158280956.html
https://kuliahdianmardi.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/handbook-of-human-factors-and-ergonomics-fourth-edition-2012.pdf
http://ssu.ac.ir/cms/fileadmin/user_upload/Daneshkadaha/dbehdasht/khatamat_behdashti/kotobe_latin/Introduction_to_Ergonomics.pdf
https://www.pdfdrive.com/a-guide-to-human-factors-and-ergonomics-e34320317.html
https://www.iso.org/
https://www.ergonomics4schools.com/lzone/anthropometry.htm

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 Questions For
Discussion
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Problem

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1. Discuss the real usefulness of anthropometry for an
engineering design.
2. When to use “Averages and Percentiles”?

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