Establishing an anthropometric database: a case for the Portuguese working population

Abstract

Up-to-date anthropometric databases can help design appropriate workstations and equipment, reducing occupational accidents and disorders. The primary aim of this study was to create a company database to support the hypothesis that the latest anthropometric database for the Portuguese working population was outdated. Through the traditional manual measurement method, this work collected data on 27 dimensions from 343 workers in an industry in Northern Portugal. The interclass correlation coefficient showed high agreeability intra- and inter-evaluators with average values of 0.940 and 0.950, respectively. Socioeconomic aspects of the sample population, including gender, immigration, and age, were evaluated. Statistical analysis included correlations between the 27 anthropometric dimensions, age, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Among the main findings, men displayed larger average dimensions than women except for hip breadth, and female body measures decreased more with age than males. Men were 1.6 times more likely to be overweight than women, whereas women were twice more likely to be obese. Concerning working shifts, individuals on the night shift showed an increased tendency to be overweight or obese (BMI>25). Since the previous database employed a different method (photogrammetric), it was possible to compare only five dimensions (stature, knee height, elbow height, hip breadth, and abdominal depth) through mean absolute differences. Variations in the population stature and knee and elbow heights support this work's hypothesis and underscore the need to establish and update the Portuguese anthropometric database with a reliable and reproducible method.