Comparison of Anthropometric Dimensions in Healthy and Disabled Individuals

authors:

avatar Amir Hossein Davoudian Talab 1 , * , avatar Ahmad Badee Nezhad 2 , avatar Nasrin Asadi Darvish 2 , avatar Hossein Molaeifar 3

Department of Occupational Hygiene, Behbahan School of Medical Science, Behbahan, IR Iran
Department of Environmental Health, Behbahan School of Medical Science, Behbahan, IR Iran
Student Research Committee, Behbahan School of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, IR Iran

how to cite: Davoudian Talab A H, Badee Nezhad A, Asadi Darvish N, Molaeifar H. Comparison of Anthropometric Dimensions in Healthy and Disabled Individuals. Jundishapur J Health Sci. 2017;9(3):e59009. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjhs.59009.

Abstract

Background:

Anthropometry is a very accurate tool in ergonomic design process; the design of appropriate rehabilitation equipment based on anthropometric data results in disabled empowerment, decreased health expenses, and allows disabled individuals to live and act in the society like other healthy citizens. The purpose of this study was to determine anthropometric dimensions of disabled male and female cases (wheelchair users) and compare this with healthy individuals.

Methods:

This analytic-descriptive study was performed during year 2012 in Tehran city. The sample population consisted of 314 disabled and healthy individuals, including 150 healthy and 79 disabled males and 50 healthy and 35 disabled females. The age range of samples was 25 to 55 years old. Disabled individuals were manual wheelchair paraplegic users while healthy participants were official staff. The simple probability sampling method was used. In this research, 9 (9) anthropometric dimensions, applied for designing wheelchair and seats, were measured.

Results:

This research showed that the average sitting height was 78.4 ± 6.75 cm among disabled males and 58.47 ± 4.5 cm among disabled females. Also, the sitting height was 90.97 ± 3.55 among healthy males and 83.72 ± 4.54 among healthy females. Comparison between healthy and disabled male and female subjects showed that 6 out of 9 dimensions had a significant difference between them P < 0.05; also, comparison of two studies from America and Poland, showed that the hip dimension of Iranian wheel chair users was greater.

Conclusions:

The results indicate significant differences among healthy and disabled individuals in anthropometric dimensions and the highest difference was found in the height dimension and access limits.

1. Background

Ergonomics is the science that deals with recognizing the interaction between humans and other system components. This science makes use of theories, principles, and methods in design, in order to allow healthy and appropriate performance of the system. Anthropometry is a component of ergonomics (1).

A very useful tool in the design process is the application of anthropometry, which is the science of particular body measurements in order to differentiate between individuals, groups, etc. Anthropometry is the measurement of the dimensions and certain other physical characteristics of the body, such as volumes, centers of gravity, inertial properties, mass, and body segments (2).

Experts of ergonomics use anthropometric data to determine the figure and size of the living place, workplace, and tools used by people in all fields of rehabilitation, military, industrial, educational, and sport (3). People with physical disabilities either due to chronic sickness or aging or some other reasons have to spend a large part of their time in a seated posture or confined to wheelchairs (4). At least 2.6% (6.8million) of the US population use assistive devices and nearly a quarter of those using assistive devices utilize a manual wheelchair for mobility (5).

This tool assists with self-reliance and active participation in social settings and is used by most physically disabled people. It is clear that the proper design of such a tool is the main effective factor in its application by disabled individuals (6). In other words, the design of appropriate equipment based on anthropometric data results in disabled empowerment, decreased health expenses and allows disabled individuals to live and act in the society like other healthy people (7). The general lack of anthropometric information about individuals, who are using wheelchairs, limits the ability of designers to create environments and products that could be used effectively and safely by this diverse set of users (2) 2012b. Therefore, studies showed that the anthropometric data used by experts and designers, dates back to more than 3 decades. It is clear that during this period, people, population demography, and physical features have undergone severe changes (8). Hence, such data, although available for healthy individuals, is rare for disabled people, who use wheelchairs (9). Also, some designers have designed equipment for disabled people based on the features of healthy people (10). However, due to the low capability of disabled individuals, it is not rational to design their equipment based on the characteristics of healthy people (11). Studies that have been conducted in the field of anthropometry wheelchair users, include Paquet and Feathers studies (2004) on 120 male wheelchair users, which determined static anthropometric dimensions (12), and the study of Lucero-Duarte et al. (2012a), in which the aim of the study was to obtain anthropometric data of adult wheelchair users in Mexico. This study included 108 disabled people (56 males and 52 females) using wheelchair and having sufficiently efficient upper extremities to perform professional activities (1). In the study of Wang et al. (2014), a set of wheelchair users’ oriented functional clothing was designed (5). However, although important, in Iran, there are practically no studies of this nature and there are only studies applied to people without any disability.

Therefore, due to the importance of determining anthropometric dimensions in the design of equipment and safe living environment for disabled and healthy people and lack of anthropometric data related to wheelchair users in Iran, the purpose of this study was to determine anthropometric dimensions of disabled males and females (wheelchair users), and to compare this with common healthy individuals. This study attempted to answer the question of whether support devices could be designed for disabled cases based on the anthropometric data of healthy individuals.

2. Methods

This analytic-descriptive study was performed during year 2012 in Tehran City. The sample population consisted of 314 disabled and healthy individuals, including 150 healthy and 79 disabled males and 50 healthy and 35 disabled females. It is important to note that anthropometric data is influenced by factors, such as age and occupation, type of disability, and degree of disability (1). In order to avoid the aging process, in this study, the age range of the samples was 25 to 55 years old. Disabled individuals were manual wheelchair paraplegic users with their upper extremities sufficiently efficient to perform professional activities, while healthy participants were official staff. The simple probability sampling method was used. In this research, 9 anthropometric dimensions that are applied in designing wheelchairs and seats were measured. Figure 1 shows static measurements, including height, length, and width. After obtaining contact with official staff and wheelchair users, individuals were held in standard posture and dimensions were measured based on the studies of Flayed, Patio, Kozy, and Harrows (9, 11-13). Measurements were performed while males had underwear and females had loose clothing and were without shoes; after body physical measurements some modifications were applied on their shoes (2.5 cm added heel). The standard posture of disabled users on wheelchair and official staff on ergonomic seats is such that individuals sit on a horizontal plane and enhance their body as much as possible, look straight forward, free their shoulders, hang their elbows vertically, and their thighs and wrists are in the horizontal position while the calf is in a vertical position. In order to maintain this position in disabled people, an adjustable chair was used in order to support the thighs and calf. This research included measurements of disabled individuals without wheelchairs, also referred to as sitting position measurements (12, 14). In this study, tools such as 1: Standard anthropometric chair, 2: Caliper in large and small sizes, 3: Tape meter and metal meter (1 mm, accuracy), 4: Steadio meter (1 mm, accuracy) and scaled board of anthropometry were used for body measurements. The measurements were done by occupational health experts, who had passed essential training for anthropometry. Figure 1 demonstrates measured dimensions in standard physical statements of anthropometry in sitting postures.

Dimensions of Anthropometry Based on the Method of Standard Measurements ISO/IDS7250; Sitting Postures
Dimensions of Anthropometry Based on the Method of Standard Measurements ISO/IDS7250; Sitting Postures

Measurements were performed by experts trained in this field. The following formula was used to determine the sample size of disabled and healthy individuals; sample size of the study was determined based on pre-test analysis on a group of 20 wheelchair users and office workers. Also, t test was used for comparison of anthropometric dimensions between males and females and also between healthy and disabled people. For statistical analysis, the SPSS 16 software was used.

Precision was obtained in three continuous measurements as 0.92% and 0.88% for disabled and healthy individuals, respectively.

Equation 1.
Equation 2.
Equation 3.

3. Results

In this study, an average of 9 (9) healthy and disabled body dimensions were obtained from 25- to 55-year-olds in sitting position on wheelchair and ergonomic chairs (Table 1). This research showed that the average sitting height was 78.4 ± 6.75 cm among disabled males and 58.47 ± 4.5 cm among disabled females. Also, the sitting height was 90.97 ± 3.55 among healthy males and 83.72 ± 4.54 among healthy females. This result showed higher average rate of sitting height among healthy participants compared to cases with disability. Also, in this study, 9 (9) body dimensions of healthy and disabled people were compared. Comparison between healthy and disabled male and female subjects showed that 6 dimensions out of 9 had a significant difference between them, P < 0.05 (Tables 2 and 3). The results of this study, in comparison with two studies in America and Poland, showed that the hip dimension of Iranian wheel chair users was greater (Table 4). However, the male and female sitting and popliteal height in the two countries was greater compared to Iranian wheel chair users.

Table 1.

Average Anthropometry Dimension Among Healthy and Disabled Males and Females (CM)

VariablesGroupHealthy Males (Official Staff) N = 15Healthy Females (Official Staff), N = 50Disabled Males (Wheelchair User), N = 79Disabled Females (Wheelchair User), N = 35
Dimension mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD
1Sitting height90.793.5583.724.5478.46.75575.5
2Eye height62.94.1673.934.32120.1571105.7
3Shoulder height80.253.5756.78452.66.3496.45.76
4Arm reach forward38.862.3250.815.3785.155.5855.395.46
5Shoulder breadth59.123.06567.7444.6442.074.5
6Hip breadth47.792.8946.864.3536.393.9539.56.3
7Popliteal heights38.502.8137.714.2743.643.9638.33.8
8Popliteal length45.665.1040.1348.144.02464.4
9Knee-hip length69.643.53583.4658.474.558.474.5
Table 2.

Comparison of Anthropometry Dimensions Among Healthy and Disabled Males in Sitting Position with t Test

No.Body DimensionsHealthy Male, N = 150Disabled Male, N = 79P Value
1Sitting height90.7978.40.001
2Shoulder height62.0952.60.001
3Eye height sitting80.25670.001
4Popliteal height38.8643.460.001
5Front-knee length59.1285.470.1
6Popliteal-hip length48.1447.790.6
7Hip breadth38.5036.390.001
8Shoulder breadth45.6644.60.1
9Arm reach forward69.6458.150.001
Table 3.

Comparison of Anthropometry Dimensions Among Healthy and Disabled Females in Sitting Position with t Test

No.DimensionsHealthy Females, N = 50Disabled Females, N = 35P Value
1Sitting height83.7271.740.001
2Shoulder height73.9360.70.001
3Eye height sitting56.8747.20.001
4Popliteal height50.8138.30.001
5Front-knee length-5657.470.52
6Popliteal-hip length46.86460.61
7Hip breadth40.139.50.11
8Shoulder breadth37.7142.70.001
9Arm reach forward5855.390.001
Table 4.

Mean Anthropometrics Data Among Three Countries

Body DimensionIranian Wheelchair UserPoland Wheelchair UserAmerican Wheelchair User
MaleFemaleMaleFemaleMaleFemale
7935101693728
PercentilemeanSD595meanDS595meanSD595
Hip breadth
Male36.393.9531.1544.732.948.51946.926.33.922.438.7
Female39.56.33152.132.893.8626.639.227.75.221.638.3
Shoulder breadth
Male44.64395239.262.3835.342.553.45.246.763.3
Female42.074.535.852.135.292.573139.451.26.539.162
Popliteal length
Male48.144.024054.154.885.2446.163.652.26.839.260.9
Female464.438.55349.4746.441.857.153.66.743.464.6
Sitting height
Male78.46.756687.786.445.8576.99679.6667.885
Female71.745.6361.280.278.106.9166.889.475.34.966.383.3

4. Discussion

A comparison test related to disabled and healthy people’s body dimensions showed that sitting height, eye height, shoulder height, and Arm reach forward and also hip breadth in healthy males was significantly greater than disabled cases. There was no significant difference between disabled and healthy people in shoulder breadth, popliteal length, and front knee-hip length (Table 2). Comparison of healthy controls and disabled females showed that the heights reached by healthy females was greater than disabled females, yet there was no significant difference in shoulder breadth, hip breadth, and popliteal length (Table 3). A study by Jarosz et al. among wheelchair users with upper body common physical activity showed that healthy people had greater work place and work space than disabled cases (13). The measurements used to design back rest and height of desk should emphasize on the differences between healthy and disabled males and females to design suitable workstations (1, 8).

Also, forward reach in healthy people was greater than disabled cases, similar to the current study. In the study of Nowak et al., forward reach was about 30 cm more than disabled people and reach forward in healthy males in Bolestad and Monica studies was 84.7 and 83.3 cm, respectively (14-16). This dimension is applied to determine maximum barriers distance, controls and tools surrounding the work table, and factors essential for improvement of interactions between users with workstation (7).

Due to the usage of sitting height and eye height applied to design work station units and control panels and sit back height in work places, and determination of reaches in adjusting barriers distance, controls and equipment’s near the worktable (1, 3, 7, 8, 17), differences in the body dimension of healthy and disabled people results in differences in work place size. Failure to consider these differences when designing a work place causes incompatibility with individual features and results in dissatisfaction, stress, and musculoskeletal disorders in disabled cases (18, 19), due to the fact that they have more physical requirements, compared to healthy people (8).

Results of this study showed that the body dimensions of disabled people differ from healthy people. Studies showed that disorder in joints performance, ligament, and neural- muscle system in disabled people results in deformation of parts of the body and finally results in complete deformation of body dimensions. As a result leads to a change in body size dimension (17-20). The other restricting factor of body growth is restriction of mobility activity, pain-induced stresses, lack of rehabilitation facilities, and residence in clinical and rehabilitation centers for disabled individuals (21). Other studies showed that a shorter sitting height and lower access limits disabled people, compared to healthy people, which is because of deformation of skeletal systems, looseness of back muscles, and difficulty in keeping the body in a straight position (22).

Similar to what happens in the aging process, the deficit tonicity of postural muscles increases back hypnosis and simultaneously decreases cartilage thickness between 2 vertebrates, which finally results in shortened sitting and back height (17). Other studies showed that declining hip and tight muscles decreased body height among disabled people (23). In this study, the mean of 4 body dimensions of Iranian wheelchair users was compared with 2 studies conducted in America and Poland (Table 4). The result of this study showed that the width of shoulders and the width of buttocks in the Iranian population are higher than the 2 other Poland and American wheelchair user populations. These dimensions are very important in designing back rests and width of wheelchair (2, 6), yet sitting height and sitting popliteal height in Iranian wheelchair user populations are less than the 2 other populations; sitting position dimensions are important for designing office workstations, desks, chairs and wheelchairs. These dimensions are used in designing different dimensions of chairs, such as chair height and length of seat (24).

4.1. Conclusion

This paper summarized the structural anthropometric dimensions of 114 male and female wheelchair users in comparison with 200 male and female office workers. Due to the limitations of the study regarding the lack of access to advanced tools for anthropometric dimension measurements, such as digital and three-dimensional anthropometry measurement tools, there is a need for continued efforts that will improve our understanding of the anthropometry of wheelchair users. It appears that new measurement and data presentation methods will soon offer promising new ways of applying anthropometry in design for this important segment of the population. Also, this paper presents nine anthropometric measures for people using wheelchairs, which are essential for the design of workstations for any industry. Based on the results of the comparisons with other studies on populations of Poland and America, it could be concluded that body dimension of Iranian wheelchair users is different from the 2 mentioned countries; the results also indicate significant differences among healthy and disabled people in anthropometric dimensions and the highest difference was found in the height dimension and access limits.

Acknowledgements

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