COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONS OF MALE AND FEMALE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the anthropometric body dimensions of the male and female agricultural workers was conducted in South-Eastern Nigeria to ascertain the variations that exist among the body characteristics/dimensions of the male and female agricultural workers in the area. Thirty (30) anthropometric dimensions considered useful in the design of the agricultural equipment alongside with the heart rate of the workers were studied. Male and female agricultural workers within the age limit of 20-60 years were used for the study. Results obtained revealed that male agricultural workers had greater body dimensions than the females except in the waist circumferences and hip breadths in which the male measured average of 81.1cm and 34.4cm respectively and the female recorded 88.7cm and 42.1cm at waist and hip regions respectively. The comparison further showed that male agricultural workers had average stature and body weight of 168.3cm and 65.9kg respectively with the 5 th and 95 th percentiles of 162.75cm and 175.77cm respectively in stature; and 60.15kg and 71.73kg in body weight respectively. While the female recorded mean stature and body weight of 163.2cm and 64.8kg respectively with the corresponding 5 th and 95 th percentiles of 153.96cm and 172.17cm respectively in stature and 60.04kg and 69.35kg respectively in body weight. The males had average heart (pulse) rate of 73.8 beats/min while the females had 70.5 beats/min. The comparison generally did not show much variations, which implies that implements/machine designed for the male workers could suit the female workers or might be adjusted to suit the female workers. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.31