The Anthropometry of Body Action*

Conventional anthropometry of the adult has been limited largely to measurements that may be made with the anthropometer, the tape measure, and the calipers. The dimensions are linear, and they relate to the body surfaceheights of body landmarks, widths, circumferences, and spans between surface points. To be duplicable, the measurements must he made in the same manner on different individuals, and the subjects must assume a stereotyped static posture, usually standing, during measurement. Supplementary and equally stereotyped postures such as sitting, supine, arms outstretched, etc., may also be used. The measurements, of course, allow comparisons between individuals and between population groups. They provide information on the relative magnitude and variability of individuals, hut they are in no way functional measurements. If a dynamic anthropometry is to be developed that can cope with problems of movement and postural change, new methods must be sought, and the parameters of measurement must be extended to include angles, velocity, acceleration, rhythmic patterns, space envelopes, and force. Body activity is infinitely variable, and it is essential that there be a theoretical framework so that relevant and secondary features may be evaluated correctly. Similarly, it is important that the conditioning factors and inbuilt limitations of the body machinery he also understood. Simplifications and abstract concepts are necessary, but it is important that these should not be oversimplified relative to the specific problem at hand. Studies based on dynamic measurements should contribute to human comfort, efficiency, convenience, and safety. One may envision the application of work-space information to the industrial worker, to the school room, to vehicles and machinery, and to military problems. There should be contributions to furniture design and to the architecture of such work spaces as kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, a better understanding of dynamic actions of the body mechanism should provide help in the coaching of athletic performance, in the design of work clothing, including shoes and gloves, in personnel selection, and in the designing of prostheses. Braune and Fischer6 were pioneers in this field, and more recent work has been done by Lay and Fisher:6 Hooton,2l Randall e f al.," Chapanis et aE.,B Smith and his group,% McFarland et aZ.,% and Dempster.l'