Comparison of 3-D Body Scan Data to Quantify Upper-Body Postural Variation in Older and Younger Women

Abstract

As women age, changes occur in their posture and bilateral symmetry that affect the fit of clothing. These changes have been documented in many studies. Anthropometric measures made in previous studies, however, were limited to linear measurements (circumferences or lengths) and included only one angle, the shoulder slope. In this study, the authors took detailed measurements using a 3-D body scanner to validate previous studies and more precisely quantify body changes in older women. They compared upper-body measurements of 40 women aged 19-35 to those of 40 women aged 55+. Using these measurements, we quantified the differences in posture and the differences in the amount of bilateral variation between the older and younger women. Nineteen upper-body angles, 16 linear measurements, and one proportional measurement were included in the study. Of the 36 body measurements taken, 21 measurements were significantly different between the two groups of women.