Ergonomics 1 - Anthropometry and Universal Design

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from Ergonomics 1 Lesson 1 notes covering anthropometric measurements, history, principles, universal design, and body dimensions.

Anthropometry

The measurement and study of the human body, its parts, and capacities, derived from Greek words anthro (man) and metron (measure).

Alphonsus Bertillon

A French police officer and biometrics researcher who developed the Bertillon System, the first scientific identification system used by police to track and identify criminals.

Francis Galton

Cousin of Charles Darwin who recommended fingerprinting, which eventually replaced Alphonsus Bertillon's identification system.

Static Anthropometry

Standard measurements taken when body parts are held in a static position and fixed points, focusing on specific skeletal dimensions when the body is not in motion.

Dynamic Anthropometry

Also known as functional anthropometry, measures distances and ranges of motion while the body is moving or involved in physical activities.

Anthropometer

A tool used to take static anthropometric measurements and obtain length, width, and breadth of human anatomy.

Goniometer

An instrument used in dynamic anthropometry that measures joint angles during movement.

Electromyography

A tool or method used to measure muscle activity in order to analyze body movements.

Motion Capture System

A dynamic anthropometry system that uses sensors to track body measurements during motion.

Design for Adjustable Ranges

An anthropometric design principle that provides a range of adjustments, especially when health and safety are involved.

Design for Extremes

An anthropometric design principle based on maximum or minimum body dimensions, such as the $5^{\text{th}}$ percentile female or $95^{\text{th}}$ percentile male.

Design for Average Users

An anthropometric design principle based on the $50^{\text{th}}$ percentile, which is acceptable when primarily concerned with one dimension and health/safety isn't a significant issue.

Universal Design

Designing products, buildings, and spaces to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.

Equitable in Use

A principle of Universal Design stating that the design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

Flexibility in Use

A principle of Universal Design stating that the design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

Simple and Intuitive Use

A principle of Universal Design stating that use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

Perceptible Information

A principle of Universal Design stating that the design communicates necessary information effectively to the user regardless of ambient conditions or sensory abilities.

Tolerance for Error

A principle of Universal Design stating that the design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

Low Physical Effort

A principle of Universal Design stating that the design can be used efficiently and comfortably while minimizing fatigue.

Size and Space for Approach and Use

A principle of Universal Design stating that appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of body size, posture, or mobility.

Height

A straight line, point-to-point vertical measurement.

Breadth

A straight line, point-to-point horizontal measurement running across the body or a segment.

Depth

A straight line, point-to-point horizontal measurement running fore and aft the body.

Distance

A straight line measurement between landmarks on the body.

Curvature

A point-to-point measurement following a contour that is typically neither closed nor circular.

Circumference

A closed measurement that follows a body contour and therefore is not circular.

Reach

A point-to-point measurement following the long axis of the arm or leg.

Stature

The vertical distance from the floor to the top of the head when standing; serves as a reference for minimal height of overhead obstructions.

Eye Height, Standing

The vertical distance from the floor to the outer corner of the right eye when standing; origin of the visual field of a standing person.

Shoulder Height (Acromion)

The vertical distance from the floor to the tip (acromion) of the shoulder when standing; reference point for hand reaches.

Elbow Height, Standing

The vertical distance from the floor to the lowest point of the right elbow when standing, with the elbow flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Hip Height (Trochanter), Standing

The vertical distance from the floor to the trochanter landmark on the upper side of the right thigh when standing.

Knuckle Height, Standing

The vertical distance from the floor to the knuckle (metacarpal bone) of the middle finger of the right hand when standing.

Fingertip Height, Standing

The vertical distance from the floor to the tip of the extended index finger of the right hand when standing.

Sitting Height

The vertical distance from the sitting surface to the top of the head when sitting.

Sitting Eye Height

The vertical distance from the sitting surface to the outer corner of the right eye when sitting.

Sitting Shoulder Height

The vertical distance from the sitting surface to the tip (acromion) of the shoulder when sitting.

Sitting Elbow Height

The vertical point from the sitting surface to the right elbow when sitting with the elbow flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Sitting Thigh Height (Clearance)

The vertical distance from the sitting surface to the highest point on the top of the horizontal right thigh with the knee flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Sitting Knee Height

The vertical distance from the floor to the top of the right kneecap when sitting with knees flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Sitting Popliteal Height

The vertical distance from the floor to the underside of the thigh directly behind the right knee when sitting with knees flexed at $90^\text{o}$; reference for seat length.

Shoulder-Elbow Length

The vertical distance from the underside of the right elbow to the right acromion with the elbow flexed at $90^\text{o}$ and upper arm hanging vertically.

Elbow - Fingertip Length

The distance from the back of the right elbow to the tip of the extended middle finger with the elbow flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Overhead Grip Reach Sitting

The vertical distance from the sitting surface to the center of a cylindrical rod firmly held in the palm of the right hand.

Overhead Grip Reach, Standing

The vertical distance from the standing surface to the center of a cylindrical rod firmly held in the palm of the right hand.

Forward Grip Reach

The horizontal distance from the back of the right shoulder blade to the center of a cylindrical rod firmly held in the palm of the right hand.

Arm Length Vertical

The vertical distance from the tip of the right middle finger to the right acromion with the arm hanging vertically.

Downward Grip Reach

The vertical distance from the right acromion to the center of a cylindrical rod firmly held in the palm of the right hand with the arm hanging vertically.

Chest Depth

The horizontal distance from the back to the right nipple; reference for clearance between seat backrest and obstructions in front of trunk.

Abdominal Depth, Sitting

The horizontal distance from the back to the most protruding point on the abdomen.

Buttock - Knee Depth, Sitting

The horizontal distance from the back of the buttocks to the most protruding point on the right knee when sitting with knees flexed at $90^\text{o}$.

Buttock - Popliteal Depth, Sitting

The horizontal distance from the back of the buttocks to the back of the right knee just below the thigh when sitting with knees flexed at $90^\text{o}$; reference for seat depth.

Shoulder Breadth (Biacromial)

The distance between the right and left acromion; indicator of the distance between centers of rotation of the two upper arms.

Shoulder Breadth (Bideltoid)

The maximal horizontal breadth across the shoulders between the lateral margins of the right and left deltoid muscles.

Hip Breadth, Sitting

The maximal horizontal breadth across the hips or thighs, whichever is greater, when sitting; reference for seat width.

Span

The distance between the tips of the middle fingers of the horizontally outstretched arms and hands.

Elbow Span

The distance between the tips of the elbows of horizontally outstretched upper arms when elbows are flexed so fingertips meet in front of the trunk.

Head Length

The distance from the glabella (between browridges) to the most rearward protrusion of the occiput in the midline.

Head Breadth

The maximal horizontal breadth of the head above the attachment of the ears.

Hand Length

The length of the right hand between the crease of the wrist and the tip of the middle finger when flat.

Hand Breadth

The breadth of the right hand across the knuckles of the four fingers.

Foot Length

The maximal length of the right foot when standing.

Foot Breadth

The maximal breadth of the right foot at a right angle to the long axis of the foot when standing.

Weight (kg)

Nude body weight taken to the nearest tenth of a kilogram.