Where can I obtain anthropometric data?
Anthropometric data are published primarily in
- National and international standards
- Manuals
- Scientific journals: Data published in scientific journals are generally taken from recent studies conducted by the authors. The random samples are not always representative, since studies are often able to consider only sub-populations relevant to the issues that they address. Likewise, the dimensions studied anthropometrically are generally selected purely with respect to the scientific problem at hand. This is the case not only for ergonomic studies, but also for many biological and medical studies, for example into the causes of obesity. Collections of data that are representative and important above all for designers and similar users rarely appear in scientific publications.
The anthropometric data found in collections of data often differ. Differences between data are not necessarily contradictory, since the dimensions are influenced by the composition of a random sample. Should several collections of anthropometric data be available, preference should be given to the most recent collection. See: Up-to-dateness of anthropometric data.
| Type | DIN/EN and ISO standards | Manuals | Scientific journals |
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In principle, any source of data may be used. It must be remembered however that anthropometric data differ according to the purpose of their compilation and the age of their publication.
Errors in design and assessment are generally caused not by the quality of the data, but by incorrect application of them. This includes the use of data that are out of date, particularly where human body dimensions are undergoing significant change: (see Warning: do not simply combine percentile data; Influence of age). Some years ago, this particularly concerned body height and leg and arm length, owing to the secular increase in length dimensions. At the present time, the trend towards obesity is a reason for particular attention to be paid to whether the data are up to date (see Up-to-dateness of anthropometric data). This particularly concerns the circumferential and breadth dimensions (waist girth, body breadth sitting, etc.).