ABSTRACT
Anthropometry has been the bedrock of ergonomics and human factors since the formalization of these fields of study some 70 years ago. Usually the term anthropometry is limited to the static measurement of human body segment dimensions, such as stature, popliteal height, reach or shoulder width. There are various measurement conventions and many data bases (ISO, SAE, WHO, CDC) . Perhaps the most comprehensive text on the subject is that by Pheasant and Haslegrave (2006). The methods used for workplace design involve convenient, usually boney, landmarks such as the acromion or patella. On occasion, soft tissues are included, especially for widths and girths. Perhaps the most highly developed application is for “occupant packaging” in automobile design (Roe, 1993). Also NASA scientists routinely collect data from astronaut candidates for use in space suit and other equipment designs (Rajulu, 2009). A slightly different set of landmarks is used by the physical education community. The anthropomorphic modeling community uses joint centers of rotation as reference points for the development of avatars.
