Short answer
Move beyond the 'average' user; specifically identify if your product needs to adjust (for the 5th-95th percentile) or define a clearance limit (95th percentile).
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Ergonomics (2018)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review
- Sample
- 116 studies reviewed
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Standard anthropometric tables often fail to account for the specific physical requirements of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, requiring a shift toward inclusive design strategies. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Ergonomics. Using Systematic literature review with 116 studies reviewed, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Move beyond the 'average' user; specifically identify if your product needs to adjust (for the 5th-95th percentile) or define a clearance limit (95th percentile).
Designing for the 5th and 95th percentiles is insufficient for inclusive design of complex products
Standard anthropometric tables often fail to account for the specific physical requirements of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, requiring a shift toward inclusive design strategies.
Ergonomics · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Traditional 1D measurements are often inadequate for complex 3D human-product interactions.
- 02There is a significant lack of up-to-date anthropometric data for 'special groups' including the elderly and disabled.
- 03Prototype testing with the target user group is more effective than relying solely on static data tables.
Application
Design takeaway
Move beyond the 'average' user; specifically identify if your product needs to adjust (for the 5th-95th percentile) or define a clearance limit (95th percentile).
How to apply
When designing a workstation, use the 5th percentile for reach (to ensure the smallest can touch controls) and the 95th percentile for clearance (to ensure the largest can fit).
Project actions
- 01In your project, don't just list anthropometric data; explain *why* you chose the 5th, 50th, or 95th percentile for a specific dimension.
- 02If your target audience is children or the elderly, state that standard adult data is invalid for your project.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive review of over 100 sources
- +Highlights the importance of inclusive design
Limitations
Students often lack the tools for 3D anthropometric mapping, so they must rely on manual 1D measurements (calipers/tapes) which are less accurate for complex curves.
Reliability & validity
High reliability due to the breadth of the literature review; validity is high for general design principles but requires specific data for local applications.
Think critically
If a product is designed for the 'average' person, who is actually being excluded, and what are the safety implications of that exclusion?
Design Principles
"The Principle of Proportionality: Design dimensions must be derived from the specific body measurements of the intended user population, not a generic population."
In design, understanding the application of anthropometrics is vital for design topics. This research highlights that simply using 'average' data leads to exclusion, emphasizing the need for designers to select appropriate percentiles (5th, 95th, or 50th) based on the specific design context.
What This Means for Your Design
Using a single 'average' measurement for a product usually means it won't fit 50% of people properly. You need to look at the extremes (the very small and the very large) to make a product truly ergonomic.
How to use in your project
- 1.Cite this study when justifying why you conducted primary anthropometric research instead of using secondary data tables for a specific user group like the elderly.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
According to Dianat et al. (2018), relying on general anthropometric data often excludes special user groups. Therefore, for this project, primary data was collected to ensure the ergonomic requirements of [target group] were met beyond standard 50th percentile averages.
Source
Ergonomics
A review of the methodology and applications of anthropometry in ergonomics and product design
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about designing for the 5th and 95th percentiles is insufficient for inclusive design of complex products?
- Move beyond the 'average' user; specifically identify if your product needs to adjust (for the 5th-95th percentile) or define a clearance limit (95th percentile). Evidence: Ergonomics (2018).
- Why does "Designing for the 5th and 95th percentiles is insufficient for inclusive design of complex products" matter for design?
- In IB DT, understanding the application of anthropometrics is vital for Topic 1. This research highlights that simply using 'average' data leads to exclusion, emphasizing the need for designers to select appropriate percentiles (5th, 95th, or 50th) based on the specific design context.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Move beyond the 'average' user; specifically identify if your product needs to adjust (for the 5th-95th percentile) or define a clearance limit (95th percentile).
- What were the main findings?
- Traditional 1D measurements are often inadequate for complex 3D human-product interactions.. There is a significant lack of up-to-date anthropometric data for 'special groups' including the elderly and disabled.. Prototype testing with the target user group is more effective than relying solely on static data tables.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review with 116 studies reviewed.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Ergonomics.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a workstation, use the 5th percentile for reach (to ensure the smallest can touch controls) and the 95th percentile for clearance (to ensure the largest can fit).
- What are the limitations?
- The study notes that 3D scanning technology is expensive and not yet accessible for all design practitioners.