In searching for constant body ratio benchmarks

Abstract Anthropometric data is the foundation of ergonomic design for all products and environments. However, the procedures for collecting anthropometric data are tedious, complicated and costly in terms of labor, time and financial resources. It will be much cheaper if the old anthropometric data can be updated easily without lengthy measurement processes. However, most practitioners do not know how the old anthropometric data can be converted into applicable new data when updated data is unavailable ( Wang et al., 1999 ). Therefore, it is important to develop methods that can easily update old data into new data with minimal error. A last, complete and large-scale anthropometric database ( Wang et al., 2002a ) was built in Taiwan in the late 1990s and published in 2002. In order to maximize the value of the Taiwanese anthropometric database, this study analyzed the available pairwise body dimension ratios (PBD ratios) in an attempt to find the constant body ratio benchmarks (CBR benchmarks) that are least affected by gender and age. This resulted in the identification of 483 unique CBR benchmarks, which were verified by calculating and processing 35,245 PBD ratios; meanwhile, quasi-CBR benchmarks that are least affected by either gender or age were also identified. This study and CBR benchmarks make it possible to update anthropometric data quickly, accurately, and at low cost. Relevance to industry Establishing anthropometric data is usually a difficult, costly, time consuming and labor-intensive procedure. This study developed a method that can convert data to updated ones with high rates of accuracy, using a limited number of subjects, time, and measurement equipment. This method can help designers and engineers to obtain updated anthropometric data quickly for their product or environmental designs.