In Part A, secular changes in the body size of populations, over periods of time, were discussed. It was noted, for example, that the body size of Second World War inductees was greater than that of First World War inductees. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, taken in 1971–1974, indicates that relatively more men and women are taller than those examined in the National Health Survey of 1960–1962. Fifty-one percent of the men in the recent survey were 175.3 cm, or 69 in, or taller as compared with 38 percent in the 1960–1962 survey. Recognizing the significance of secular change, as well as the length of the research and development cycle associated with the design and production of various equipment—a process typical of certain industries—projections of future body measurements can at times prove extremely useful. At the very least the inclusion of certain projections in these tables can, to some degree, complete the spectrum of anthropometric data available to the architect and interior designer. Table 5 includes such projections. Selected anticipated female and male structural body measurements for the year 1985 are shown. Only 5th and 95th percentile measurements are indicated since they were deemed to be most useful for design purposes.
The male measurements reflect extrapolations made on the basis of data from a number of surveys of U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy Flying Personnel conducted between 1950 and 1973. The data were restricted to those from commissioned officers in the 23–25 age range. The female measurements were estimated from a 1968 Air Force Women’s survey. Unfortunately, there was no corresponding large group of surveys on which to study secular changes in dimensions of female officers. Proper allowances for clothing and shoes should be added to all data.
Anthropometric Source Book, Volume I: Anthropometry for Designers, NASA reference publication 1024, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Scientific and Technical Information Office, July 1978.