Ergonomic data of elderly people and their application in rehabilitation design

The population of the First World is ageing, and as it does so elderly people are becoming an increasingly significant consumer group. This process has important ramifications for the ergonomics and design professions. The demand for products that have been developed with consideration for the elderly consumer will require designers to develop new skills and ergonomists to supply new data. This paper highlights the inadequacy of current design data pertaining to the elderly. Anthropometric studies which have been carried out within the fields of ergonomics and rehabilitation are reviewed, and their usefulness to the product designer discussed. Recommendations are made regarding future needs for the collection and dissemination of further data.