Abstract
Anthropometrical findings about proportions of the human body have a long tradition; most of them, however, are rather theoretical. To improve this situation a pragmatic and applicable definition of proportions, normal as well as deviating, is needed. The purpose of this paper is to set up three proportion types for body length measures: leggy–normal–stocky, and their rate in the population of adults in an industrial society (Germany). Based on queries of an actual anthropometrical database metrical limits for these three types are suggested regarding their influence on the most important body length measures in standing and sitting positions. The number of cases with normal proportions is about 60%, leggy and stocky types both reaching up to 20%. The metrical limits are proposed in order to account for differences between those proportion types which are relevant for ergonomics. When solving complex multidimensional design tasks (e.g. workplaces, vehicle interior design, personal equipment) users of anthropometrical data who do not have the opportunity to work with multivariate databases need supplementary information about the proportions of the human body. For this reason such supplementary information concerning proportions is being given here by physiological anthropologists. The application of the findings presented is exemplified in scenarios of ergonomic relevance.
