Page 37 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Anthropometric methods for apparel design: Body measurement devices and techniques 33

the zero point of the tape measure should overlap the scale on the tape measure as
shown in the left image in Fig. 2.3E.
An inclinometer is used to measure the shoulder slope. Place the inclinometer on
the shoulder line (see “Armscye line” in Section 2.5.5) with an end of it at the side
neck point, and read the angle. Prepare two inclinometers, and measure the right
and left sides simultaneously when both sides are measured.

2.2.3 Role of the measurer
In traditional methods a measurer and an assistant work together to take measure-
ments. The measurer and assistant must be female when the subject is a female. When
the subject is a male, a measurer of the same sex is preferable. Measurers should be
properly trained before starting a survey to obtain accurate measurements in minimal
time. The training includes lectures on basic anatomy for understanding landmark
locations, definitions of landmarks and measurement items, measurement errors,
and physical training of landmarking and measurements with several subjects with
different body shapes.
The measurer is in charge of the measurement process. She/he must decide and
mark the locations of landmarks, give proper instructions to the subject for
maintaining the correct posture, give proper instructions to the assistant, and take
actual measurements.

2.2.4 Role of the assistant
The assistant records the measured value in the correct cell of a data sheet. She/he
should repeat the value aloud before writing it down in order to avoid mistakes. If
the assistant realizes that the value is unusual, she/he must ask the measurer to take
another measurement. The assistant helps the measurer by checking the posture of the
subject that is not visible to the measurer (orientation of the head, rotation of the torso,
etc.), checking the orientation of the anthropometer (the anthropometer should be ver-
tical), holding the tape measure at the back of the subject, and passing the small arti-
cles necessary for landmarking or measurement to the measurer (Fig. 2.4). To
minimize the time for measurement, the assistant should be aware of what she/he
should do without instruction from the measurer.

2.2.5 Measurement errors

The accuracy of measurements is affected by factors related to the instrument, the
measurer, and the subject. In traditional methods the instruments are simple and easy
to calibrate. The accuracy in landmarking and measurements depends on the skill of
the measurer. A proper measuring posture and its repeatability are subject-related fac-
tors. However, posture is a part of the definition of a measurement item and can be
controlled by proper instruction from the measurer. Since measurements are taken
quickly, the effect of body sway is negligible. Therefore the skill of the measurer
is the main cause of errors in traditional methods.