Ergonomics and its Relationship with Anthropometry

Definition of Ergonomics in Books: As I have mentioned in my previous hub, ergonomics is the study of behavior and activities of people adapting systems and workstations to the needs of users. Ergonomics works in different areas such as biomechanics, environmental, cognitive, etc. The word ergonomics is obtained from the Greek words "ergos" which means work and "nomos," which means laws, for this literally means "labor laws". We can say that ergonomics is a multidisciplinary activity responsible for the conduct and activities with the aim of bringing the products, systems, jobs and environments, characteristics, limitations and needs, looking to optimize their effectiveness, workplace safety, and workplace comfort at one place.

Although there are different classifications of areas involving the work of ergonomists, in general, we can consider the following:

1. Anthropometrics.
2. Biomechanics and physiology.
3. Environmental Ergonomics.
4. Cognitive ergonomics.
5. Ergonomics design and evaluation.
6. Ergonomics specific needs.
7. Ergonomics law.

Definition of Anthropometry – What is Anthropometry? How anthropometry is related to Ergonomics?

Definition of Anthropometry: Anthropometry is one of the areas that support ergonomics and deals with the human body measurements that refer to body size, strength, shape, and work capacity.

Ergonomics Relationship with Anthropometry: In ergonomics, anthropometric data are used to design workspaces, safety equipment and personal protection tools considering the differences between the characteristics, abilities, and physical limits of any particular human body.

The dimensions of the human body have been a recurring theme throughout the history of mankind, a widely known example is the drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, where the figure of a man is confined inside a square and a circle, where trying to describe the proportions of the human being  is "perfect." However, due to the differences between the proportions and dimensions of human beings, it is not possible to find an accurate model to describe the size and proportions of humans. Anthropometric studies have been made relating to a specific population, as can be male or female, and in different age ranges.