Page 15 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

10 Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

cancer patients. Results of the study have applications in breast reconstructive surgery
and in design of custom-fit mastectomy bras.

1.2.3 Kinanthropometry or body motion analysis

1.2.3.1 Background
Protective wear such as firefighter clothing, military clothing, and sportswear are used
under extreme conditions and in extreme postures such as shown in Fig. 1.3 (Song,
2011; Baytar et al., 2012; Aldrich et al., 1998). If clothing does not fit the wearer per-
fectly during actual conditions of use, then it may compromise the health, safety, and
performance of the user. Criticality of fit in special missions and activities was
recently demonstrated, when a historic event featuring all-woman spacewalk planned
by NASA in March 2019 was canceled at the last moment as one of the female astro-
nauts could not find a spacesuit that fit perfectly (New York Times, 2019).
Because of these considerations, along with shape and size data, designers also
need to integrate body movement data into patterns while designing performance gar-
ments. Change in body dimensions brought about by movement needs to be quantified
and taken into consideration to minimize the restraining effect of clothing on the
movements of the user. Currently, there is no measurement standard that considers
size reference and function-oriented motion of the body in the design of products.

1.2.3.2 Definition
Kinanthropometry is defined as the process of measuring a body in motion. Measure-
ments that capture the change in dimensions of body parts and the range of movement
of body joints are termed as “dynamic,” “functional,” “ergonomic,” or “4-D” mea-
sures. These measures yield data that can help, for example, to locate the axes of rota-
tion of joints (to design shoulder area of a garment), map the change in body lengths
and girths with movement (to design sports and protective clothing), and show com-
pression and elongation of tissues (for body-shaping and medical garments).

Fig. 1.3 Extreme postures adopted during specific activities. (A) Gymnast. (B) Motorcycle
rider. (C) Soldier.