The static anthropometry, Also called structural, it is a discipline of biological anthropology whose function is to measure dimensions of the human body when it is not in motion. Thus, measurements are taken when the person remains in a fixed position.
The term anthropometry comes from the Greek words anthropos, which means "man", and metron, which could be translated as "measure". In his measurements he tries to achieve the highest possible accuracy. At first, it was a discipline that sought to value the physical differences between human races, a concept that has become obsolete.
Within anthropometry there are two different branches: dynamics and statics. Unlike the second, dynamics is dedicated to studying the measurements of a body when it is in motion. In both cases, these measurements are made using various instruments, such as anthropometers, plicometers or cephalometers..
The uses of static anthropometry are diverse. In recent years it has become an essential science when it comes to organizing the elements of a workplace so that they adapt to the morphology of workers. In addition, it is also used in sports, fashion and other scientific disciplines.
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Static anthropometry is characterized by measuring the body when it is not in motion. In this way, their instruments take measurements of the skeleton starting from specific points.
Anthropometric data are not fixed in time. On the one hand, throughout history they have evolved due to various factors, such as nutrition, changes in lifestyle or the mixture of different ethnic groups..
These factors have caused, among other changes, an increase in average height in many countries or, in recent years, a serious increase in obesity. All these modifications have made it necessary to update the anthropometric information.
In addition to these general changes, each human body also transforms its anthropometric data throughout its life. Aspects such as age, diet, physical activity or sex are decisive for these changes.
In practice, this causes fields such as fashion or ergonomics (analysis of the physical characteristics of the person to adapt furniture, workstations and other areas) to offer different solutions to cover all possible cases..
Within anthropometric measurements there are some concepts that are used frequently. Among them are the following:
Linear measurements are called anthropometric variables. Within this type are, for example, height or perimeter.
All the characteristics of a human being that can be measured and typified can be included within the following categories:
Although there are some very complex instruments used for measurements, in general most are quite simple to use. However, it is essential to know them thoroughly so as not to make mistakes.
Likewise, to avoid these possible errors, it is necessary to fully know the reference points to be used. Finally, it is necessary to control the position of the subject to be measured..
The most widely used instrument for anthropometric measurements is the anthropometer. It is a rigid rod, 2 meters long.
The rod has two measuring scales that allow all vertical dimensions of a body to be measured. In this way, it is used to measure the height, both total and if two different reference points are taken. Can also be used to measure widths and other cross-sectional dimensions.
Another of the most common instruments in the stadiometer. This is actually a kind of fixed anthropometer whose purpose is to measure height. In many cases, the device includes a scale to obtain the weight at the same time as the height.
The calipers, for their part, they are designed to measure the different diameters existing in the body. Within this type of instrument are pelvimeters (for the pelvis) or cephalometers, to measure the head.
A little more complicated to use only the plicometers, devices that work as a skinfold meter. This tool is widely used to obtain the percentage of fat that a body has.
Among the most modern tools is the three-dimensional scanner. By using it, various anthropometric variables can be quickly and accurately obtained.
Static anthropometry, like dynamics, has important practical applications. The main fields in which it is used are industrial design, in the fashion industry, in biomechanics or in ergonomics.
Within this last area, in recent years the concern has grown to design workstations adapted to the human body so that it does not suffer damage. To be able to do this, it is essential to carry out anthropometric measurements that provide information about the measurements of each person.
That application to work is not just limited to offices. Static anthropometry has been very important when designing helmets, gloves or other safety elements.
The furniture-making industry is another that has incorporated these measurements into its manufacturing processes. Thanks to anthropometry, all kinds of furniture can be made with a better adaptation to the measurements of its users.
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