Anthropometric Resources vs. Civilian Needs

Abstract

For several decades after World War II, the only comprehensive source of body size data was that of large-scale anthropometric surveys of military personnel. While the range of most dimensions measured on military populations, both male and female, are comparable to those found in the overall U.S. population, self-selection or body size criteria dictated by particular jobs often result in considerable physical variability among occupational groups, a phenomenon which has been amply borne out by surveys of such diverse populations as law enforcement officers and airline stewardess trainees. It has become clear in the civilian sector that “all-purpose” body size data are often misleading and inadequate and that designers of clothing, equipment and workspaces are increasingly faced with the need for a wide assortment of differentiated data to meet many specialized needs. Resources will be explored and solutions suggested.