Comparison of univariate and multivariate anthropometric accommodation of the northwest Mexico population

Synthesis and validation algorithm followed by a weighting procedure to create a detailed anthropometric dataset for the German working-age population

For the German working-age population no publicly available and detailed anthropometric raw dataset exists, although several studies have collected anthropometric datasets. Unfortunately, the publication of raw data may be restricted by data usage regulations. This study presents a synthesis and validation algorithm to create a virtual copy of an already existing dataset. A detailed anthropometric dataset from a regional epidemiological public-health study in Germany was used for the synthesis and validation algorithm. Results revealed only minor deviations within the validation process. Compared to the original dataset, the virtual dataset was statistically almost identical. In a next step, the virtual dataset was weighted to approximate nationally representative values. In summary, the computed unweighted and weighted virtual data can be published without restrictions and used for ergonomic designing. Furthermore, the synthesis and validation algorithm is suitable for the generation of virtual copies and can be applied to other detailed anthropometric datasets.

Anthropometric dataset for the German working-age population using 3D body scans from a regional epidemiological health study and a weighting algorithm

For the ergonomic design of workplaces and products, a representative anthropometric dataset of the working-age population is needed. As body proportions are constantly changing and the latest publicly available dataset for Germany was published in 2004 (data collection period 1999-2002), the aim of this study was to create and publish an updated anthropometric dataset of the German working-age population. Within a regional epidemiological health study, 3D body scan data from 2313 subjects were collected and used to create an anthropometric dataset with a total of 39 ISO 7250-1 measures. To approximate the goal of generating representative values for Germany, the collected regional dataset was weighted with an algorithm, using values from a known nationally representative survey. Based on the weighted dataset, a gender stratified percentile table with values for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile was calculated. Practitioner summary: Body proportions are constantly changing and the latest publicly available anthropometric dataset for Germany was published in 2004. A new dataset was created, using 3D body scans from an epidemiological health study and a weighting algorithm. Ultimately, percentile tables with values for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile are published.

Anthropometric accommodation percentage comparison for univariate and multivariate representative Mexican hand models

BACKGROUND: Adopting awkward postures at work has a great impact on productivity and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Considering anthropometric data in the design of products and workplaces can diminish this impact. The traditional univariate-percentile-approach is one of the most implemented in the anthropometric analysis, even though it has proved limitations in comparison with multivariate-approaches. OBJECTIVE: To develop univariate and multivariate hand models considering four anthropometric dimensions, and to theoretically compare the univariate and multivariate accommodation percentages. METHODS: Univariate percentile models corresponding to the database of real subject nearest-neighbors to the 5th and 95th percentiles were obtained for the male and female population. Two multivariate approaches were implemented on the central 90% of both populations: 2D principal component analysis and archetypal analysis. The accommodation percentage for each family of models was obtained based on the population that simultaneously fit all the anthropometric dimensions. The goodness-of-fit and McNemar’s tests were performed to statistically analyze the accommodation percentages. RESULTS: Eight human hand models were obtained via Principal Component Analysis while two, three, four, and eight Archetypal Analysis models (male-population) and two, three, six, and eight Archetypal Analysis models (female-population) were selected after a root-sum-of-squares analysis for k = 1, ...  ,10 archetypes. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the Principal Component Analysis models obtained a higher accommodation level, followed by the Archetypal Analysis and percentile models (male population). In the case of the female population, models obtained by multivariate-Archetypal Analysis (k = 8) obtained a higher accommodation percentage.

Percentage of U.S. General Population Accommodated by Commercial Airline Seats

The number of seats per airplane has increased over the years, leading to a decrease in seat width and legroom. Using the HFES Multivariate Accommodation Testing Tool, the percentage of the general population accommodated in a static seated posture was calculated with respect to two important design dimensions of airline seats, seat width and legroom. Results from this article can inform seat manufacturers and airlines on how to design seats that physically accommodate the largest number of passengers. This paper does not address passenger safety and comfort, which are complex, multi-factor issues that extend beyond physical accommodation.