ANTHROPOMETRICS
This design project like all others is based on designing for humans (subcontextually older adults) which means I have to make sure
what I design can actually be used by these humans. One way of making sure I am designing a useable product is through the look at
anthropometrics. Anthropometrics are part of a user- centerd design process ued to help us as designers create a product that reaches
erogonomic needs, the study of human size and propotion.
Measuring Arm Span and Demi Span
A journal by Dr Heather Keller gives a useful table
that helps in collecting anthropometric data it gives
the method you need to use to measure different parts
of the body and the issues that may come up with older
adults.
That is what I used to help me find my data.
140.1cm
Arm Length
Demi Span
35.6 cm
Arm Span
The measuring of the arm span should be taken against the wall with the scale being
positioned above the shoulders of the participant. The paticipant should be standing
with their feet together and back against the wall whilst the arms are at shoulder length
and the palm if the hands are facing forward. Measurments taken from the tip of the
middle finger on the right hand to the tip of the middle finger on the left hand.
Demi span measurment is similar to the arm span, the participant arms have to be
outstreached etc. but this time the measurment is taken from the middle finger to
the sternal notch (the visable dip in between the color bones.
Measuring Arm Length
73.3 cm
To measure arm length you go from the tip of the acromion (process on the shoulder
blade) to the styloid process of the ulna ( the end of the forearm).
Hand Measurments
5..6
cm
Hand Length 17 cm
Hand Breadth
7.5 cm
8.9cm
Palm Length
The hand length is measured from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist, whilst the
hand breadth is measured horizontally from the bottom of the index finger to the
bottom of the small finger. The maximum grip diameter is measured by the participant
putting the thumb and the index finger together and measuring the diameter inide the
cicular shape made. The palm length is measured from the bottom of the little finger to
the top of the wrist.
Maximum grip
diameter
The measurments above are the mean of 6 participants relevant measurments
(Mean worked out by adding all results together and dividing them by the number of data entries.)
Dr Heather Keller; Review of Anthropometric Measures for Older Adults
August 2009
http://www.drheatherkeller.com/pdf/Anthropometry%20Review-%20Final%202009.pdf