Affiliations: [a] Department of Ergonomics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [b] Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [c] Student Research Committee, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| [d] Independent Researcher Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Kodakyar Ave., Daneshjo Blvd., Evin 1985713834, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Hrmokhtarinia@yahoo.com; ORCID: 0000-0002-5181-4894
Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0001-8222-2659
Note: [2] ORCID: 0000-0002-7149-8825
Note: [3] ORCID: 0000-0001-5529-4024
Note: [4] ORCID: 0000-0001-8354-4545
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Anthropometric data should be considered for each major population age category, specifically because of the dimension changes occurring during ageing. In elderly subjects, the physical activities and their capabilities become limited. Therefore anthropometric reference data for equipment and system designs is necessary. OBJECTIVES:The aim of the study was to collect data for the body dimensions of an elderly Iranian population and evaluate the related gender and age correlations. METHODS:Nineteen body dimensions were manually measured on a sample size of 317 subjects (167 male and 150 female) from four provinces of Iran. A pilot preliminary test for assessing test-retest reliability on ten body dimensions using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2 :1) was performed. Descriptive statistics were reported based on gender and independent samples t-tests to compare the anthropometric dimensions of both genders and age. RESULTS:Results indicated higher dimensions in males, except for hip-breadth (p = 0.87). In all subjects, increasing age corresponded with: decreased standing shoulder height, eye height, and elbow height; and with sitting height and sitting knee height; while hip-breadth increased. Reliability was acceptable (ICC2.1 >0.88). In the elderly, as with adult subjects, there are significant gender differences in body dimensions, and this should be considered in equipment and system design. Furthermore, this study demonstrated both genders differences and the consequences of aging. CONCLUSIONS:From this pilot data, product designers can consider the anthropometric characteristics for elderly Iranian subjects for equipment and system design.
