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Related Experiment Videos

Anthropometry of an aging work force.

J F Annis1, H W Case, C E Clauser

  • 1Anthropology Research Project, Inc., Yellow Springs, OH.

Experimental Aging Research
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

As the workforce ages, changes in body size are a concern for job redesign. However, age-related body size shifts are not significant enough to warrant redesigning existing ergonomic workstations.

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Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics and Occupational Health
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Industrial Design

Background:

  • The industrial sector faces challenges with an aging labor force, prompting concerns about future job and workspace redesign.
  • Changes in body size characteristics with aging are a key area of focus for industrial planners.
  • A comprehensive anthropometric database for the American worker is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze age-associated changes in body size and weight.
  • To evaluate the impact of these changes on workspace dimensions.
  • To determine if existing ergonomically designed workstations require resizing due to aging workers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of available surveys and studies on anthropometry, including data from individuals aged 40 to 70.
  • Analysis of errors associated with existing anthropometric studies.
  • Tracing changes in weight and body dimensions from the third to the eighth decade using sample mean values from selected studies.
  • Testing age-associated workspace dimension changes against recommended design values for seated workstations.

Main Results:

  • Selected cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were used to track changes in weight and body dimensions across age decades.
  • Age-related changes in body size were quantified from available data.
  • Workspace dimensions were assessed against established ergonomic design standards.

Conclusions:

  • While flexibility in future workplace design is acknowledged, age-related changes in body size alone are insufficient to justify resizing existing ergonomically designed workplaces.
  • Current ergonomic designs appear adequate for the aging workforce based on body size considerations.

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