Anthropometry & Physical Dimensions in Ergonomics Flashcards
7 cards from real CPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Anthropometry & Physical Dimensions in Ergonomics flashcards as text
When designing workstations to accommodate the widest practical range of users, which percentile range is the ergonomic design standard?
Answer: 5th to 95th percentile
The 5th to 95th percentile range is the accepted ergonomic standard, accommodating 90% of the target population while balancing cost and design feasibility.
Which anthropometric measurement is most critical for determining appropriate seated workstation surface height?
Answer: Popliteal height
Popliteal height (floor to the underside of the thigh just behind the knee) directly determines proper seat height, which in turn drives workstation surface height.
When designing a fixed overhead clearance (e.g., a doorway or ceiling-mounted obstacle), ergonomic guidelines recommend designing for which user group?
Answer: 95th percentile male stature
Clearance dimensions must accommodate the largest user; if the tallest person fits safely, everyone in the population will as well.
Functional reach differs from structural (static) reach in that functional reach:
Answer: Includes trunk rotation and shoulder movement during the reach
Functional reach accounts for natural body movement during task performance — including trunk rotation and shoulder protraction — making it more representative of actual workplace reach capability.
The 'secular trend' in anthropometry refers to which phenomenon?
Answer: The gradual increase in average human body size across successive generations
Secular trend describes the documented generational increase in average stature and body mass, requiring ergonomists to use updated anthropometric databases for contemporary design.
The ANSUR II database is valued by ergonomists primarily because it provides:
Answer: Comprehensive US Army anthropometric data with over 100 measurements per participant
ANSUR II (2012) surveyed approximately 6,000 US Army personnel with over 100 body measurements each, making it one of the most comprehensive North American anthropometric datasets available for equipment and workstation design.
When a single fixed workstation dimension cannot accommodate both a 5th percentile female and a 95th percentile male user, the preferred ergonomic design approach is:
Answer: Design for adjustability across the required range
When the population span is too great for a single fixed dimension to serve all users, adjustable workstations allow the same design to accommodate the full range of anthropometric variation.