Traditional Anthropometry Research Articles

Association of novel anthropometric indices with prevalence of kidney stone disease: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between novel anthropometric indices, specifically the body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI), and the prevalence of kidney stone disease (KSD) within the general population of the United States (U.S.).MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2020. Various statistical methods, including multivariable logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and subgroup analysis, were utilized to examine the association between ABSI and BRI and the risk of KSD.ResultsA total of 39,251 individuals were included in the study. First, the RCS plot presented that a linear positive association was found between ABSI and BRI and KSD risk. Second, the results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared to the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for the prevalence of KSD across the quartiles of ASBI and BRI were 0.94 (0.67, 1.30), 1.55 (1.15, 2.10), and 1.74 (1.28, 2.35), respectively, in the fully adjusted model. Third, the ROC curve demonstrated that the area under the curve of ABSI, and BRI was significantly higher than traditional anthropometry or body composition measures, including BMI and waist circumference.ConclusionsThe findings of our study indicate that the discriminant ability of ABSI and BRI for KSD is significantly superior to that of BMI and waist circumference. Consequently, ABSI and BRI have the potential to more accurately identify an individual’s risk of developing KSD in a clinical setting.

Face anthropometry for filtering facepiece respirators: analysis of the association between facial dimensions and respirator fit.

Ensuring proper respirator fit for individuals remains a persistent challenge in occupational environments, yet there is limited knowledge about how respirators interact with the face to "'fit." Previous studies have attempted to understand the association between face dimensions and respirator fit using traditional head/face anthropometry not specifically tailored for respirators. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the ability of filtering facepiece respirator (FFR)-specific face anthropometry with traditional head/face anthropometry in exploring the relationship between facial dimensions and the fit of FFR. The study utilized 3D face scans and quantitative fit factor scores from 56 participants to investigate the relationship between face anthropometry and FFR fit. Both FFR-specific and traditional anthropometric measurements were obtained through 3D anthropometric software. Intra-correlation of anthropometry was analyzed to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of FFR-specific and traditional anthropometry respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to test the usefulness of the PCA method for investigating various facial features. Logistic regression was used to develop fit association models by estimating the relationship between each face measurement set and the binary outcome of the fit test result. The prediction accuracy of the developed regression models was tested. FFR-specific face anthropometry consists of a set of measurements that can inform the detailed facial shape associated with the FFRs more effectively than traditional head/face anthropometry. While PCA may have been effective in reducing the variable dimensions for the relatively large parts of the human body such as upper and lower bodies in previous literature, PCA results of FFR-specific and traditional anthropometry were inconsistent and insufficient to describe face dimensions with complex anatomy in a small-detailed area, suggesting that facial shape should be understood through a variety of approaches including statistical methods. Logistic regression analysis results confirmed that the association models of FFR-specific face anthropometry were significant with higher prediction accuracy and had a better model's goodness of fit than those of traditional head/face anthropometry in 3 conditions inputting all measurements, all PC scores, or top 5 measurements from PCA. The findings showed that the FFR fit association model enables an understanding of the detailed association between face and respirator fit and allows for the development of a system to predict respirator fit success or failure based on facial dimensions. Future research would include testing the validity of the model and FFR-specific measurement set on different respirator types, expanding the population set, and developing an integrated approach using automated and machine learning technologies to inform FFR selection for occupation workers and the general population.

Toward Clothing Personalized Customization Multi-Perspective Silhouettes 3D Human Body Rapid Reconstruction

The clothing personalized online customization is required to design around the user shape parameters, and the traditional anthropometry method obtains the user shape parameter with a low speed and a high error. To tackle this issue, a rapid 3D human body reconstruction method is proposed based on multi-perspective silhouettes for clothing personalized customization. The multilevel dilated convolution semantic network (MDS-Net) is leveraged to extract the global and local features in the human silhouettes to implement the semantic segmentation. The torso parameter extraction network (TPE-Net) is leveraged to extract the shape and pose parameters of the multi-perspective human body segmentation maps. The principal component analysis (PCA) is leveraged to extract the semantic features in the latent space of the 3D human body model, and the semantic features are mapped to the shape and posture parameters output by the torso parameter extraction network, thus, 3D human body model is reconstrued. This method was verified in a PyTorch environment with four datasets. The experiments demonstrated that the mIoU of the multilevel dilated convolution semantic network on the test set is 0.881, which can achieve overall segmentation and local detail preservation. The torso parameter extraction network has an accuracy of 0.74 in the shape parameter prediction on the test set, the prediction of joint offset distance is proportional to the index in the kinematic tree. The entire 3D human body reconstruction method is verified by the real cases.

Validation of Vectra 3D Imaging Systems: A Review.

Aim: Three-dimensional facial imaging systems are a useful tool that is gradually replacing two-dimensional imaging and traditional anthropometry with calipers. In this varied and growing landscape of new devices, Canfield (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ, USA) has proposed a series of static and portable 3D imaging systems. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the validation of Canfield’s Vectra imaging systems. Materials and Methods: A search strategy was developed on electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus by using specific keywords. After the study selection phase, a total of 10 articles were included in the present review. Results: A total of 10 articles were finally included in the present review. For six articles, we conducted a validation of the Vectra static devices, focusing especially on the Vectra M5, Vectra M3 and Vectra XT. For four articles, we validated the Vectra H1 portable system. Conclusions: All of the reviewed articles concluded that Canfield’s Vectra 3D imaging systems are capable of capturing accurate and reproducible stereophotogrammetric images. Minor errors were reported, particularly in the acquisition of the perioral region, but all the evaluated devices are considered to be valid and accurate tools for clinicians.

Measurement Tools of Pediatric Nutrition and Health Suitable or Adaptable for Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Field Research Settings

Background: Micronutrient status, body composition, gastrointestinal (GI) functioning, and neurological functioning are important facets of pediatric nutrition and health. When studied in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), information about these elements is usually obtained via standardized surveys and traditional anthropometry. While convenient, these evaluations offer limited information that may be prone to error and bias. However, a variety of underutilized objective measurement tools exist which can promote a more objective, comprehensive, and deeper understanding of these aspects of pediatric nutrition and health in LMIC.
 Objective: Identify field-friendly, relatively low-cost, and portable tools that provide objective measurements of micronutrient status, body composition, GI functioning, and neurological functioning in young children.
 Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted to assess the state-of-the-art field-friendly research tools targeting micronutrient status, body composition, GI functioning, and neurological functioning in children in LMIC.
 Results: A number of field-friendly tools addressing the domains of micronutrient status, GI health, body composition, and neurological functioning were identified. While many tools remain to be fully validated, these tools have yet to be used to their full potential in field-based pediatric nutrition and health research in LMICs.
 Conclusions: More robust, field-friendly assessment methods will help to refine knowledge on the state of pediatric health of vulnerable children in LMIC. Such awareness could contribute to the design of interventions, programs and policies, and further research.

Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design.

This study investigated anthropometric changes of national law enforcement officers (LEOs) in 46 years, compared the differences between LEO data and civilian anthropometry, and identified the magnitude of differences in dimensions measured with gear versus semi-nude measurements. The best available 46-year-old anthropometric dataset of LEOs has largely become outdated due to demographic changes. Additionally, anthropometric data of female LEOs and LEO measurements with gear are lacking. Thirty-four traditional body dimensions and 15 with gear measurements of 756 male and 218 female LEOs were collected through a stratified national survey using a data collection trailer that traveled across the U.S. and the data were compared to the LEO anthropometric data from 1975 and existing civilian anthropometric databases. LEO body size and shape have evolved over the past 46 years - an increase of 12.2kg in body weight, 90mm in chest circumference, and 120mm in waist circumference for men. No previous data was available for comparison for females. Compared to civilians, both male and female LEOs have a larger upper body build. LEO gear added 91mm in waist breadth for men and 120mm for women, and 11kg in weight for men and 9kg for women. The study reveals that equipment design based on the existing civilian datasets or 46-year-old LEO dataset would not accommodate the current LEO population. The new data fill this gap. Application: The differences reported above are important for LEO body gear, vehicle console, and vehicle ingress/egress design.

Exploration of the body\u2013garment relationship theory through the analysis of a sheath dress

The apparel industry is replete with assumptions regarding the body-garment relationship. Traditional anthropometry focuses on linear body measurements, which are inadequate to describe and classify the human body-form for apparel pattern development. To enable the development of a body-form based block system, this case study explored the body-garment relationship for a sheath dress to determine if apparel block shapes could be categorized based on distinct body-form variations. A modified version of Gazzuolo’s (1985) body-garment relationship theory guided the development and analysis of the study. Pattern blocks were fit to 39 female subjects, with 16 dimensions extracted from specific pattern components and graphed to reveal between one and five groups per dimension. Visual analysis of the sample’s body scans revealed 27 body-form variations with 99 categorical descriptions. Categorical descriptions were compared to the dimensional values resulting in ten suggestions for a body-form based block system, and seventeen assumptions that require further analysis. In conclusion, this case study discovered multiple body-form variations across a single size, but block shapes could not be identified due to the wide variation in the sample. Future studies should assess a statistically significant sample of individuals with in-depth analysis of a single body region to determine if there are generalizable body-form variations across the population.

A simple vision based anthropometric estimation system using webcam

Anthropometry can be defined as the science of dimensional measurement of the size and proportions of the human body. Anthropometric measurement is used in a lot of fields such as medical, forensics and clothing. The modern anthropometry techniques are expensive and takes up a lot of space while traditional anthropometry techniques are slow and susceptible to human error. Hence, there is a need for the development of a vision-based estimation system that is cheap, fast, accurate and portable. The study in this project proposes a noble way of using Raspberry 3B+ with Logitech C310 camera to perform estimation of chest, waist, hip circumference and body height through 2D images. The system works by implementing Pixel Density Method, HSV thresholding method, OpenPose deep neural network, bounding box method, pixel counting method and Ramanujans ellipse circumference approximation method to achieve objectives of this study. The percentage error between the estimated result and the measured result of chest, waist, hip circumference and body height are only 2.11%, 4.66%, 4.31% and 1.74%. In conclusion, a vision based anthropometric estimation system is successfully developed with high accuracy using all the proposed methods.

Exploring Covariation between Traditional Markers of Metabolic Health and the Plasma Metabolomic Profile: A Classic Twin Design.

Novel metabolomic profiling techniques combined with traditional biomarkers provide knowledge of mechanisms underlying metabolic health. Twin studies describe the impact of genes and environment on variation in traits. This study aims to identify relationships between traditional markers of metabolic health and the plasma metabolomic profile using a twin modeling approach and determine whether covariation is caused by shared genetic and environmental factors. Using a classic twin design, this study examined covariation between anthropometric, clinical chemistry, and metabolomic profiles. Cholesky decomposition modeling was used to determine the genetic and environmental path coefficients through successive anthropometric and clinical chemistry traits onto metabolomic derived metabolites. This study shows that WC, TAG, and a metabolomic signature composed of 7 metabolites are inter-related, and that covariation can be attributed to common genetic, shared and unique environmental factors as well as unique environmental factors specific to the metabolite. This quantitative modeling connecting the traditional anthropometry and clinical chemistry traits with the more recent and potentially more sensitive metabolomic profile approach may provide further insight on the pleiotropic genes or modifiable environmental factors influencing variation in metabolic health.

Assessment of the intraday variability of anthropometric measurements in the work environment: a pilot study

Sitting for long periods of time, both during work and leisure times, is the typical behavior of the modern society. Especially at work, where there is not much flexibility, adopting the sitting posture for the entire day can cause some short-term and long-term effects. As workers’ productivity and well-being relies on working conditions, evaluating the effects caused by work postures assumes a very important role. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the variation of some anthropometric measurements during one typical workday to understand whether the known long-term effects can also be seen and quantified in an 8-h period. Twenty participants were measured before and after work, using traditional anthropometry equipment. The data from the two repetitions were compared using statistical tests. The results showed a slight variation in the anthropometric measurements, some with a tendency to increase over time and others with a tendency to decrease.

Body shape and size in 6-year old children: assessment by three-dimensional photonic scanning.

Background:Body shape and size are typically described using measures such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, which predict disease risks in adults. However, this approach may underestimate the true variability in childhood body shape and size.Objective:To use a comprehensive three-dimensional photonic scan approach to describe variation in childhood body shape and size.Subjects/Methods:At age 6 years, 3350 children from the population-based 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study were assessed by three-dimensional photonic scanner, traditional anthropometry and dual X-ray absorptiometry. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on height and 24 photonic scan variables (circumferences, lengths/widths, volumes and surface areas).Results:PCA identified four independent components of children's body shape and size, which we termed: Corpulence, Central:peripheral ratio, Height and arm lengths, and Shoulder diameter. Corpulence showed strong correlations with traditional anthropometric and body composition measures (r>0.90 with weight, BMI, waist circumference and fat mass; r>0.70 with height, lean mass and bone mass); in contrast, the other three components showed weak or moderate correlations with those measures (all r<0.45). There was no sex difference in Corpulence, but boys had higher Central:peripheral ratio, Height and arm lengths and Shoulder diameter values than girls. Furthermore, children with low birth weight had lower Corpulence and Height and arm lengths but higher Central:peripheral ratio and Shoulder diameter than other children. Children from high socio-economic position (SEP) families had higher Corpulence and Height and arm lengths than other children. Finally, white children had higher Corpulence and Central:peripheral ratio than mixed or black children.Conclusions:Comprehensive assessment by three-dimensional photonic scanning identified components of childhood body shape and size not captured by traditional anthropometry or body composition measures. Differences in these novel components by sex, birth weight, SEP and skin colour may indicate their potential relevance to disease risks.

Accuracy and precision of integumental linear dimensions in a three-dimensional facial imaging system

ObjectiveA recently developed facial scanning method uses three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging with a light-emitting diode. Such scanning enables surface data to be captured in high-resolution color and at relatively fast speeds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of 3D images obtained using the Morpheus 3D® scanner (Morpheus Co., Seoul, Korea).MethodsThe sample comprised 30 subjects aged 24-34 years (mean 29.0 ± 2.5 years). To test the correlation between direct and 3D image measurements, 21 landmarks were labeled on the face of each subject. Sixteen direct measurements were obtained twice using digital calipers; the same measurements were then made on two sets of 3D facial images. The mean values of measurements obtained from both methods were compared. To investigate the precision, a comparison was made between two sets of measurements taken with each method.ResultsWhen comparing the variables from both methods, five of the 16 possible anthropometric variables were found to be significantly different. However, in 12 of the 16 cases, the mean difference was under 1 mm. The average value of the differences for all variables was 0.75 mm. Precision was high in both methods, with error magnitudes under 0.5 mm.Conclusions3D scanning images have high levels of precision and fairly good congruence with traditional anthropometry methods, with mean differences of less than 1 mm. 3D surface imaging using the Morpheus 3D® scanner is therefore a clinically acceptable method of recording facial integumental data.

O índice de risco nutricional (nutritional risk index) é preditor de complicação pós-operatória em operações do aparelho digestivo ou parede abdominal?

Malnutrition can be considered the most common disease in hospitals due to its high prevalence. To investigate the methods of evaluation of the nutritional status that better correlate with postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay in patients submitted to gastrointestinal or abdominal wall surgeries. This is a retrospective evaluation of 215 nutritional assessment records. All were submitted to traditional anthropometry (weight, height, BMI, arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm muscle circumference), subjective global assessment, serum albumin and lymphocyte count. Nutritional risk index was also calculated. A total of 125 patients were included. Malnutrition was diagnosed by mid-arm muscle circumference, nutritional risk index and subjective global assessment in 46%, 88% and 66%, respectively. Severe malnutrition was found in 17,6% if considered subjective global assessment and in 42% by the nutritional risk index. Oncologic patients had a worst nutritional status according to this index (5,42 less units). There was a negative correlation between occurrence the noninfectious postoperative complications with the nutritional risk index (p=0,0016). Similarly, lower serum albumin levels were associated with higher non infectious complications (p=0,0015). The length of hospital stay was, in average, 14,24 days less in patients without complications as compared with non infectious postoperative complications (p<0,05). Nutritional risk index and serum albumin are the parameters with the best capacity to predict the occurrence of non infectious postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay was higher to this patients.

Accuracy and precision of a 3D anthropometric facial analysis with and without landmark labeling before image acquisition

To determine the influence of landmark labeling on the accuracy and precision of an indirect facial anthropometric technique. Eighteen standard linear craniofacial measurements were obtained from 10 adults using the 3dMDface system, with landmarks labeled (Labeled_3D) and without landmarks labeled (Unlabeled_3D) before image acquisition, and these were compared with direct anthropometry (Caliper). Images were acquired twice in two different sessions 1 week apart (T1 and T2). Accuracy and precision were determined by comparing mean measurement values and absolute differences between the three methods. Mean measurements derived from three-dimensional (3D) images and direct anthropologic measurements were mostly similar. However, statistically significant differences (P < .01) were noted for seven measurements in Labeled_3D and six measurements in Unlabeled_3D. The magnitudes of these differences were clinically insignificant (<2 mm). In terms of precision, results demonstrated good reproducibility for both methods, with a tendency toward more precise values in Labeled_3D, when compared with the other two techniques (P < .05). We found that Labeled_3D provided the most precise values, Unlabeled_3D produced less precise measurements, and Caliper was the least capable of generating precise values. Overall, soft tissue facial measurement with the 3dMDface system demonstrated similar accuracy and precision with traditional anthropometry, regardless of landmarking before image acquisition. Larger disagreements were found regarding measurements involving ears and soft tissue landmarks without distinct edges. The 3dMDface system demonstrated a high level of precision, especially when facial landmarks were labeled.

Espessura do músculo adutor do polegar: um método rápido e confiável na avaliação nutricional de pacientes cirúrgicos

Investigate whether the right adductor pollicis muscle thickness is a reliable method to evaluate the nutritional status of surgical patients and whether it correlates or not correlate to other anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical parameters. Cross-sectional study evaluating 87 patients candidates to major operations of the gastrointestinal tract. All were submitted to global subjective evaluation, traditional anthropometry (arm circumpherence ; triceps skin fold; and arm muscle circumpherence, serum albumin, lymphocytes and measurement of in both hands. The mean right adductor pollicis muscle thickness in dominant hand was 12,64 +/- 3,19 mm and in non-dominant hand (EMAPND) 12,23 +/- 2,9 mm. Sensitivity was 72,37% for left adductor pollicis muscle and 77,33% for left adductor pollicis muscle thickness being the cut-offs given by the ROC curve (13,4 and 13,1mm respectively). Specificity was 100% for both hands. There was a significantly correlation (P<0.01) for right adductor pollicis muscle thickness with all anthropometric parameters. The mean value for normal individuals was significantly greater (P<0.001) than for mild malnourished which was greater (p<0.05) when compared to patients with severe malnutrition. right adductor pollicis muscle thickness is a low-cost, reliable, and trustworthy method to assess nutritional status that can be easily and safety used in clinical practice for surgical patients.

Validation of a Simple Method for Measuring Cranial Deformities (Plagiocephalometry)

Craniofacial measuring is essential for diagnosis or evaluation of growth and therapies. Skull deformities in children are mainly caused by craniosynostosis or by external pressure in positional skull deformations. Traditional anthropometry does not sufficiently analyze craniofacial shape. In computed tomography (CT) scanning, radiation loads are considerable. Both CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning require anaesthesia in children for accurate imaging, due to their long acquisition time. This makes CT and MRI unsuitable for long term follow-up of pediatric patients unless there is a compelling reason. Other noninvasive three-dimensional (3D) surface scanners still have limited practical use. van Vlimmeren et al presented plagiocephalometry (PCM) as a simple and versatile instrument to quantify skull deformities with high intrarater and interrater reliability, but no comparison was made with the actual skull shape. At the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Sophia Children's Hospital PCM was compared to 3D-CT scanning in 21 children with craniosynostosis early in life. The PCM ring proved to fit closely to the skin with mean differences less than 1 mm (P < 0.05). The shape of the PCM ring was not significantly changed when taken off the head (P > 0.05). Finally, no significant differences are shown between measurements on the skull (CT-scan) and PCM ring off the head (P > 0.05). This study proves that PCM is a reliable method for analysis of skull deformities. The measurements are in agreement with 3D-CT scanning as golden standard. Although only 2-dimensional measurements are performed by PCM, the combination of simplicity, reliability, and validity make it a promising tool for daily practice.

Three-Dimensional Variability of Static Anthropometric Dimensions: Considering Anatomy, Behavior and Process

Capturing anatomical landmarks using an electromechanical measurement system shares facets of traditional anthropometry (palpation/haptic inspection, visual inspection). Electromechanical measurement systems, however, capture discrete anatomical landmarks used to create multiple anthropometric dimensions. This study investigated measurer variation for the multi-modal task of capturing static, three-dimensional landmarks. Two trained measurers used an electromechanical system to repeatedly render five upper extremity landmarks on a healthy adult, braced in a static position. ANOVA showed significant differences across measurers (p &lt; 0.01) in each coordinate axis (X, Y, Z) for three landmarks. Post-hoc dimensioning of Bi-Humeral Epicondylar breadth and Radiale-Radial Styloid length utilized these landmark data as endpoints in linear dimensions. ANOVA showed significant results for measurer for Bi-Humeral Epicondylar breadth (p &lt; 0.01). This study details measurer variation for the task of rendering three-dimensional landmarks and the impact this variation has on the creation of linear dimensions. Studying the landmark digitization variation will aid in the reduction of linear dimension variation, enable effective training, and help mitigate the impact of differential search strategies used to capture digitized landmarks in three-dimensions.

Anthropometric Precision and Accuracy of Digital Three-Dimensional Photogrammetry

A variety of commercially available three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging systems are currently in use by craniofacial specialists. Little is known, however, about how measurement data generated from alternative 3D systems compare, specifically in terms of accuracy and precision. The purpose of this study was to compare anthropometric measurements obtained by way of two different digital 3D photogrammetry systems (Genex and 3dMD) as well as direct anthropometry and to evaluate intraobserver precision across these three methods. On a sample of 18 mannequin heads, 12 linear distances were measured twice by each method. A two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test simultaneously for mean differences in precision across methods. Additional descriptive statistics (e.g., technical error of measurement [TEM]) were used to quantify measurement error magnitude. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) mean differences were observed across methods for nine anthropometric variables; however, the magnitude of these differences was consistently at the submillimeter level. No significant differences were noted for precision. Moreover, the magnitude of imprecision was determined to be very small, with TEM scores well under 1 mm, and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.98 to 1. Results indicate that overall mean differences across these three methods were small enough to be of little practical importance. In terms of intraobserver precision, all methods fared equally well. This study is the first attempt to simultaneously compare 3D surface imaging systems directly with one another and with traditional anthropometry. Results suggest that craniofacial surface data obtained by way of alternative 3D photogrammetric systems can be combined or compared statistically.

Challenges in the application of anthropometric measurements

Traditional anthropometry is characterized by measuring distances, circumferences and weights. All these values are one-dimensional. A further area of anthropometric research is measuring of human forces. These values must also be indicated as one-dimensional measures. All the called values show, according to the human variability, various distributions. In order to simplify the indication of this distribution, the 5th, 50th and 95th-percentiles are shown in the most anthropometric tables. By the introduction of computer technology, it becomes possible to create three-dimensional representatives of the human body called soft-dummies. The dimensions of these dummies, however, are always based on the one-dimensional level of the traditional measurements. In the last few years, however, new scanner technologies were shown by which a three-dimensional description of the body surface is possible. By this technique, a very dense list of three-dimensional points is created. The position of these points depends on the arbitrary relation between the body to be measured and the position of the scanning system. That means that the measured points are not functionally related to a certain body point. So, it is not possible to carry out statistical analysis over these points. If, however, a soft-dummy is blown up in the shape defined by these scanner points, the parameters by which the dummy is described may be used for statistical analysis. This is really a new form of anthropometric measurement and application, which will get increasing importance in the future. With dummies, new additional abilities may be simulated. For instance, the dummy can be provided with forces, the dummy can be animated and so show movements, and the dummy can have contact with the virtual surfaces of a CAD-world and should show responsible deformations. For all these cases, new anthropometric data are necessary which jump over the border of traditional anthropometry. In order to pick up these measures, new measuring systems must be developed. Three-dimensional force measuring equipment must be developed. Movement can be measured by the triangulation of markers. That is an introduced and established technique. However, in many test situations and, especially, in real life these markers obstruct the freedom of movement. Thus, new contact-less techniques must be developed in order to satisfy this demand. Also, the contact between body and surface (especially seats) must be investigated in a soft-dummy related manner. In order to use all these new data, a mathematical modelling is necessary, by which a prediction in situations which are unknown during the investigation phase is possible. A further advantage for the designer is the reproductive behaviour of the soft-dummy is opposite to a real person. By such a technique, the experience with living subjects is not refused, but the first approach will be much more human related than is possible on the basis of the present data material.

Female and male trunk geometry: size and prediction of the spine loading trunk muscles derived from MRI

Objective. Develop a gender specific database of trunk muscle cross-sectional areas across multiple levels of the thoracic and lumbar spine and develop prediction equations for the physiological cross-sectional area as a function of gender and anthropometry. Design. This study quantified trunk muscle cross-sectional areas of male and female spine loading muscles. Background. There is a lack of comprehensive data regarding the female spine loading muscle size. Although biomechanical models often assume females are the same as males, little is known regarding gender differences in terms of trunk muscle areas and no data exist regarding the prediction of trunk muscle physiological cross-sectional areas from commonly used external anthropometric measures. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging scans through the vertebral bodies from T 8 through S 1 were performed on 20 females and 10 males. Muscle fiber angle corrected cross-sectional areas were recorded at each vertebral level. Linear regression techniques taking into account anthropometric measures were utilized to develop prediction equations for the physiological cross-sectional area for each muscle of interest, as well as tests for differences in cross-sectional areas due to gender and side of the body. Results. Significant gender differences were observed for the prediction of the erector spinae, internal and external obliques, psoas major and quadratus lumborum physiological cross-sectional areas. Anthropometric measures about the xyphoid process and combinations of height and weight resulted in better predictions of cross-sectional areas than when using traditional anthropometry. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that the trunk muscle geometry of females and males are different, and that these differences should be considered in the development of biomechanical models of the torso. Relevance The prediction of physiological cross-sectional areas from external anthropometric measures provide gender specific equations to assist in estimation of forces of muscles which load the spine for biomechanical purposes.