As an object of analysis, a human model exhibits a very complex structure accompanied by a large number of variables, that are related reciprocally and time-dependently. This review describes the concept of error and influential factors for internal validity of human model experiments, and then indicates various research levels of human models.

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This communication first notes the disparity of fundamental concept between medical science and engineering, and describes the measurement in engineering. The main contents are; definition of instrumentation, measurement methods (deflection method, zero method, and compensation method), and measurement errors (mistake, systematic error, accidental error). It further describes the characteristics of sensor-transducer, measurement apparatus, and recorder, and also reviews the basic knowledge of engineering available for medical science

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With the purpose of discussing the measurement in psychology, the definition of measurement was firstly described, and the characteristics of psychological measurement was reviewed in relation to the objectives and subjects of each study. As prerequisites for appropriate psychological measurement and analysis of data, operational definition, work hypothesis, experimental design and control, sampling and survey methods, contents, validity and reliability of questionnaire, and degree classification of obtained value were described. Lastly, problems in psychological measurement were viewed; idiographic and nomothetic method, objective measurement and subjective phenomenon, bias in measurement, measurement of temporal phenomenon, measurement of heterogenous groups.

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In order to review the measurement in physical therapy both in clinical and research contexts, its general concept, cautions employed, accuracy, errors in obtained data, reliability and validity are described, and an objective outcome measure is also introduced. Quantitative examination plays an integral role in the process of objective measurment. For that purpose, accuracy of evaluation method and test apparatus should be certified, and normal value and bias should be confirmed, both of which result in reliability of the obtained data. The process of standardization is then essential in confirming the reliability and validity of measurement. In addition, clinical applicability of Hand-Held Dynamometer is noted for measuring muscle strength, and fatigue index is introduced as a measure of muscle endurance.

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Anthropology consists of cultural anthropology and physical anthropology; the former is the study on human cultures and the latter is the biology of human beings. This review mainly describes the method of morphological measurement of human body, especially human bones including a fossil bone, and present-day human body. Using the measurement points of human body, standardized worldwide, a distance between the two points, an angle made by the three points, and the circumference were recorded. Fourier analysis has recently been applied to morphological analysis, and the obtained data was analyzed by a multivariate analysis in order to clarify morphological characteristics and points of resemblance. However, few studies are available describing the relation between morphological characteristics and function, and one major problem has been remained unsolved.

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It is the first step for estimating the physical load of movements such as energy expenditure or load on joints to understand muscle strength induced by each movement. It is therefore necessary to analyze the motion from the viewpoint of dynamics, and “joint moment” calculation is one of the useful methods for that purpose. “Joint moment” is the muscle strength around the joint which provokes a rotation of lower extremity, and is applicable to quantitative estimation of muscle strength to some extent. In order to know the joint moment during walking, it is also necessary to understand “ground reaction force” in stance phase, and “inertia force” in swing phase . In this review, the concepts of “joint moment”, “ground reaction force” and “inertia force” were plainly introduced to explain the implications of the measurement of movement.

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A large number of latent factors lie in the process of experiments and researches, thereby potentially influencing the obtained data. With the purpose of introducing the considerations to be taken in measuring human body, this review described how to select, analyze and apply the measured data. It then cited the measurement example which was based on the experimental planning method, and examined the problems raised in the measurement. In addition, the similarity index was used to link the obtained data in the laboratory to the clinical context.

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