Data: Index and introduction
Data have been gathered from a large number of sources, listed in Sources. In general the original detailed anthropometry surveys have been brought up to date by factoring with recent stature and weight data from 2002-6 government health surveys. The sampling, sample size and measuring procedures give us good confidence in these fundamental data, and "bony" skeletal dimensions among Caucasian populations scale reliably even from anthropometry data which is some decades old. Fatty dimensions have changed more and scale unevenly, so you should be aware that much larger tolerances apply to such dimensions, although in many applications the movable nature of body fat does allow more fit tolerance in use.
Oriental populations vary more widely than Western ones, and there are very big differences between different groups within populations like the Chinese, because among poorer sections skeletal growth is restricted by diet.
Because the data in PeopleSize are recalculated, generally using several sources per dimension, (see Estimation Methods ), the appropriate external reference for PeopleSize data which you quote is "PeopleSize software, Open Ergonomics Ltd".
See these topics for more information...
Measurements have been described in general accordance with the techniques and landmarks described by Damon et al (The Human Body in Equipment Design, 1966), Lohman et al (Anthropometric Standardisation Reference Manual, 1988), and the reports of the HUMAG research group.
The basic data are of unshod and lightly clothed people. Where subjects were shod during measurement, the actual shoe height was subtracted if given; if not, 25 mm was subtracted for male subjects and 29mm for female subjects.
We have worked hard to make the data in PeopleSize accurate and reliable. However, as with any anthropometry data, you should not commit to a design without testing it in a realistic situation. Every database has an error rate, and in addition the formal nature of static anthropometry does not always match the dynamic movements of people in the real world. You are strongly advised to conduct a fitting trial before committing to design sizing.
We acknowledge the work of all those who have collected data, and specified techniques and equipment.