1.1 Anthropometrics 2

No of Lessons – 1.
Topic 1: Human Factors and Ergonomics
1.1 Anthropometrics
Lesson Objectives
All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.
Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw a bell curve to identify the
percentiles.
Designers consider three human factors
Some – Apply the principles of anthropometrics to analyse products, considering the
clearance, reach and adjustability. to ensure products meet ergonomic
needs.
Design is human centered and therefore designers need to make sure that the products they design
are the right size for the user and therefore comfortable to use. Designers have access to data and
drawings which state measurements of human beings of all ages and sizes. Designers need to
consider how users will interact with a product or service. Use and misuse is an important
consideration.
Lesson Objectives

Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw a bell curve to identify the percentiles.
Some – Apply the principles of anthropometrics to analyse products, considering the clearance,
Human Factors
reach and adjustability.
The term Human Factors is used for the combination of ergonomics and
anthropometrics.
Human Factors aims to:
● Reduce stress and fatigue on people, as they will be able to do things faster,
more easily, more safely and make fewer mistakes (reduce errors)
● Increase safety
● Increase ease of use
● Enhance operational comfort
● Improve system performance, reliability and maintenance
Lesson Objectives
Ergonomics
What is ergonomics?
It is the application of scientific information concerning the relationship of human beings

to the design of objects, systems and environments.
Physical ergonomics most often deals with the work- Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental
related subjects of: posture; worksite development processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning,
operating layout; material handling; repetitive stress and motor response, as they affect interactions among
and movement; repetitive stress injuries and
musculoskeletal disorders; and occupational safety humans and other elements of a system.
and health.
The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body
measurements, particularly those of size, strength
and physical capacity.
Lesson Objectives

Design is human centred and, therefore, designers need to ensure that the products they design are the right
size for the user and therefore comfortable to use. Designers have access to data and drawings, which state
measurements of human beings of all ages and sizes. Designers need to consider how users will interact with
the product or service. Use and misuse is an important consideration.
Ergonomics & Design Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAKlmdMHpdE
Anthropometric data sets can vary significantly between populations.

Particularly in the fashion industry, the variance in these data sets
impacts the size range of clothes for particular markets.
http://www.ergonomics4schools.com
http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/~meachan/Online%20Anthropometry/Chapter1/Ch1.htm
Skywriter seat proposal from Cathy Pacific
Lesson Objectives
Anthropometric data Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw a bell curve to identify the percentiles.
Anthropometrics:
The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength
and physical capacity.
Static (structural) data – are the measurements when the body is in a

fixed position, i.e static, such as height. joint to joint, skin and bulk.
• Data is collected using standardised equipment such as calipers,
stadiometer or anthropometer.
• Design contexts include chair height, door width, etc.
Dynamic (functional) data – are measurements that relate a range or
reach of various types of body movements such reach, grip strength,
reaction times, etc Stadiometer
• Design contexts in can openers, car console features
Anthropometer
Lesson Objectives

Primary data versus secondary data
Primary data is collected by the researcher or designer Secondary data is collected by someone
themselves. This would be carried out if there is a other than the user.
specialised group of people that may not have been •There is a great deal of anthropometric data
studied. available.
•It is collected and stored in databases or in
books.
•Website of a collection of sources.
Key Questions
1 - Can you list a number of different primary and secondary methods of research?
2 - When designing a new product it is very important to collect primary and secondary
data, what challenges can you face in ensuring that the primary data is accurate and
reliable?
Lesson Objectives

Percentiles and percentile ranges Some – Apply the principles of anthropometrics to analyse products, considering the clearance,
Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value.
Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they Interpret percentile tables based
tell you whether the measurement given in the tables on different national and
relates to the 'average' person, or someone who is international, populations,
above or below average in a certain dimension. gender and age.
Lesson Objectives
Percentiles and percentile ranges All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.
Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a

dimension at or less than a given value.
• In the table (Male Rowers) of the lightest (least heavy) rowers are the
5th percentile and they weigh 69.8 kgs or less.
• You need to be able interpret percentile tables for user populations in
a design context.
• When considering percentile ranges the design context factors in as
well.
Percentile
• If comfort or safety are important then a range of percentiles must be Range
considered. For example; motorcycle helmets need to fit snugly in Curve
order to function properly in protecting the head.
• If a product is in short use and safety or comfort such as a school desk
or a waiting room seating, then the 50th percentile would be
appropriate.
Lesson Objectives

What is it that you are aiming for with your Design examples: Examples of Users that your design should
design? measurements to consider: accommodate:
Easy reach Vehicle dashboards, • Arm length Smallest user:

Shelving • Shoulder height 5th percentile
Adequate clearance to avoid unwanted Manholes, • Shoulder or hip width Largest user:
contact or trapping Cinema seats • Thigh length 95th percentile

A good match between the user and the Seats, • Knee-floor height Maximum range:
product Cycle helmets, • Head circumference 5th to 95th percentile
Pushchairs • Weight
A comfortable and safe posture Lawnmowers, • Elbow height Maximum range:

Monitor positions, • Sitting eye height 5th to 95th percentile
Work surface heights • Elbow height (sitting or standing?)
Easy operation Screw bottle tops, • Grip strength Smallest or weakest user:
Door handles, • Hand width 5th percentile
Light switches • Height
To ensure that an item can't be reached or Machine guarding mesh, • Finger width Smallest user:
operated Distance of railings from • Arm length 5th percentile
hazard Largest user:
95th percentile
Lesson Objectives

Task 1
What anthropometric data do you need to collect for an
office chair and desk?
Annotate the picture showing the measurements to be

collected.
Lesson Objectives

Task 2 Gaussian curve
• In groups of 2, select 1 important piece of anthropometric data

needed for the office chair.
• Collect this data from you peers and collate it in table.
• Find the mean, median and mode of the data.
• Find the 5th, 50th & 95th percentiles.
Finding the percentiles:
- put the values in order from lowest

to highest. Extension:
- times the percentage (95% would be
0.95) by total number of values.
Compare your data to the anthropometry tables online. Are you
- Then count along until your get that results different? Why could this be the case? How could the results
value. For example if it is 12.2, then it be made more reliable?
is the 12th value.
Lesson Objectives
Adjustability Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw a bell curve to identify the percentiles.
Range of sizes versus adjustability Example:

An ironing board can be adjusted to
allow people of different height to use
it comfortably.
Reach: Clearance, reach and adjustability

Also known as workspace envelope.
It is the 3D space within which you
can carry out physical work
activities when you are at a fixed
location.
5th – 95th percentile.
Clearance:
The minimum distance required to, enable the user into or through an area. - Example - a door.
Lesson Objectives

Ergonomes Manakins
A 2D scaled physical anthropometric model based on a specific It is an anatomical 3D model of the human body. They
percentile human forms are called ergonomes . are useful for assessing the relationship of the body
parts to spatial arrangements represented by a 3D
model, for e example, a chair to a desk.
The ergonomes have been scaled from data taken from - More expensive then ergonomes as in full size.
specific percentile ranges to form a standard human form.
Ergonomes are used with drawings of the same scale as the - They give a better representation of the overall
model to consider the relationship between the size of an ergonomics.
object and people.
- Example – used as crash test dummies.
Lesson Objectives
Design contexts Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw a bell curve to identify the percentiles.
Of different percentile ranges used:
• Ergonomic4schools anthropometry section has a nice table showing design http://www.ergonomics4schools.co

m/lzone/anthropometry.html
contexts. Take note of when dynamic or static data is used.
There is a great deal of anthropometric data available. Students are expected to be

able to:
• interpret percentile tables in order to calculate dimensions related to a product.

- Can opener – requires the dynamic data of grip and torque.
Butterfly opener – can be hard to use for some groups. Ergonomically designed – big easy grip handles and wing nut
Lesson Objectives

• Consider how products can be adaptable for different markets or adjustable to cater for most
• Consider the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles in particular, and percentile ranges such as 2.5th to
97.5th and 5th to 95th
• Interpret percentile tables based on different national and international populations, gender and age.
Personal City U on diversity. http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/~meachan/Online%20Anthropometry/Chapter6/Ch6.htm
International-mindedness:
A wide selection of anthropometric data is published and regionalized, for example, Asian data versus
western European data. The designer must work with data appropriate to the target market.
Lesson Objectives

Tasks and Past Exam Questions
The information for the following questions can be found in the slides or, in the case of the
past exam questions, the mark scheme will follow.
Questions in exam paper format can be found in Word Documents on Managebac.

Lesson Objectives

Q.1 - Why does a designer need to consider adjustability when designing seating? (2 marks)
Q.2 - Explain what is meant by the range of sizes versus adjustability. (2 marks)
Q.3 - Outline the advantages to using a manikin when testing the ergonomics of a product? (2 marks)
Extension Question:
Explain the limitation of using the 50th percentile as a means of designing for the ‘average’ person.
Exam Questions
Lesson Objectives
Marking Scheme / Answers

Q.1 - Why does a designer need to consider adjustability when designing seating? (2 marks)
Q.2 - Explain what is meant by the range of sizes versus adjustability.(2 marks)
Q.3 - Outline the advantages to using a manikin when testing the ergonomics of a product? (2 marks)
Can use anthropometric data to create a manikin for the required percentile range.
In products where safety is a concern, it ensure no risk to users in the testing stage.

1.1 Anthropometrics 2

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No of Lessons – 1.

Topic 1: Human Factors and Ergonomics

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Human Factors aims to:

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

It is the application of scientific information concerning the relationship of human beings

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Ergonomics & Design Video

Anthropometric data sets can vary significantly between populations.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Static (structural) data – are the measurements when the body is in a

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Primary data versus secondary data

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Easy reach​ Vehicle dashboards,​ • Arm length​ Smallest user: ​

A comfortable and safe posture​ Lawnmowers,​ • Elbow height​ Maximum range: ​

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Annotate the picture showing the measurements to be

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Task 2 Gaussian curve

• In groups of 2, select 1 important piece of anthropometric data

- put the values in order from lowest

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Range of sizes versus adjustability Example:

Reach: Clearance, reach and adjustability

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Of different percentile ranges used:

• Ergonomic4schools anthropometry section has a nice table showing design http://www.ergonomics4schools.co

There is a great deal of anthropometric data available. Students are expected to be

• interpret percentile tables in order to calculate dimensions related to a product.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Tasks and Past Exam Questions

Questions in exam paper format can be found in Word Documents on Managebac.

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types of data.

Marking Scheme / Answers

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Easy reach Vehicle dashboards, • Arm length Smallest user:

A comfortable and safe posture Lawnmowers, • Elbow height Maximum range: