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  • articleNo Access

    MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS OF SKELETAL GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN CHINESE HUMANS

    Problem: Significant differences exist between the body dimensions of Chinese and Western individuals, and these differences affect the injury characteristics of passengers in traffic accidents. Most current parametric finite element human models are based on Western body data, which does not adequately assess the injury risks for Chinese individuals. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a digital model that reflects the anatomical features of Chinese humans. This requires comprehensive anthropometric data specific to the Chinese population. Aim: This study aims to collect and analyze skeletal geometric parameters from various representative regions in China across different age groups to fill the gap in Chinese anthropometric data. Additionally, it seeks to explore regional and age-related differences in these parameters, providing a scientific basis for developing finite element models that reflect the characteristics of the Chinese population. Methods: Clinical CT data of skeletal geometric parameters were collected from 224 individuals across seven representative regions of China, including parameters of the head, chest, and lower limbs. Descriptive statistics, K-W tests, and U-tests were used to analyze regional differences. Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of age. Furthermore, weighted averages and weighted variances of skeletal geometric parameters were calculated to reflect the characteristics of individuals from various regions across the country, which will be applied in the development of Chinese human models. Results: The results indicate significant regional differences in the skeletal geometric parameters of Chinese individuals, exhibiting regional patterns between the north–south and east–west areas. While skeletal geometric parameters showed significant differences with age, no clear statistical pattern was observed. Conclusion: This study systematically extracts and analyzes the skeletal geometric parameters of the Chinese population from regional and age perspectives for the first time. These data will be applied in the development of Chinese human models, providing crucial support for improving passenger safety in traffic accidents, enhancing vehicle safety design, and establishing anthropometric standards suitable for the Chinese context.

  • articleNo Access

    Assessment of Usefulness of Anthropometric Data for Predicting the Scaphoid and the Screw Length: A New Technique

    Background: Headless screw is frequently used for scaphoid fracture fixation. Aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the axial length of the scaphoid and the axial length of the middle phalanx of index, middle, ring and little finger so as to provide an indirect method to assess the length of the scaphoid and thereby the length of the screw.

    Methods: Thirty five fresh frozen cadavers with seventy wrists and hands were dissected. The age, sex and side were recorded. The axial length of the scaphoid, axial length of the middle phalanx of index, middle, ring and little finger were recorded and a correlation was assessed. Five cadavers were randomly selected and radiographs of the hand were done. Pearson coefficient correlation was assessed between the axial length of the middle phalanx of ring finger on a radiograph and actual length of middle phalanx.

    Results: A significant positive correlation was noted between the axial length of the scaphoid and the axial length of the middle phalanx of ring finger (r = 0.646), also a positive correlation between the axial length of middle phalanx of ring finger on a radiograph and the axial length of the scaphoid measured by vernier caliper (r = 0.91).

    Conclusions: A preoperative radiograph of the wrist with hand will help us indirectly assess the axial length of the scaphoid by measuring the axial length of the middle phalanx of ring finger.

  • articleNo Access

    MISMATCH IN BODY–CHAIR DIMENSIONS AND THE ASSOCIATED MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AMONG SELECTED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN GHANA

    Purpose: To assess the misfit in body–chair dimensions with regard to the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain among undergraduates. Methods: Selected undergraduate students of School of Allied Health Sciences University of Ghana, participated in this study. The popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length and the hip breadth of the students were measured in sitting using retractable tape measure. The corresponding seat height, seat depth and seat width of three fixed-style lecture hall chairs were similarly measured and the average scores were determined. Mismatch or fit in body–chair dimension were calculated through a standard rule. The associated musculoskeletal pain as reported by the participants was assessed using numerical rating scale. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean, standard deviation and Krukas–Wallis test at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 126 students with mean age 22 ± 01 years were recruited. The mean popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length and hip breadth of the students were 40.8(4.5), 46.8(4.6) and 35.3(3.3) cm, respectively while the corresponding average chair dimensions for seat height, seat depth and seat width were 52.0, 51.0 and 53.0 cm, respectively. Appreciable number of the students mismatched the lecture hall chair at the three levels of study. About 114 (90.5%) of the students attributed their pain to the study chairs in which 40 (31.7%) and 38 (30.2%) were in their fourth and second years of study, respectively. Lower back pain was the most prevalent (38.6%) among the sampled students. Conclusion: The large proportion of the incompatibility indicated that the school chairs were not designed based on anthropometric dimensions, thus giving insight into the source of the pain.

  • articleOpen Access

    A STUDY ON ANTHROPOMETRY, RANGE OF MOTION, AND MUSCLE STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS OF KOREANS WITH PARAPLEGIA

    The purpose of the study was to measure anthropometry, range of motion, and muscle strength of Koreans with paraplegia, using wheelchairs. The total number of people with disabilities in Korea was 2,618,918, of which 1,223,135 (46.7%) people were with physical disabilities in 2019. For the research, people with paraplegia living in Chungcheongnam-do, Korea were recommended through the disability-related organizations. Totally 77 Koreans with paraplegia participated, out of which 57 participants were men and 20 participants were women in the age group of 30–69 years. There were 82 measurement items categorized into 39 static measurement items, 31 range of motion items, and 12 muscle strength of hand/finger items. The results were presented and analyzed with values in the 5, 25, 50, 75, and 95 percentiles by each item and gender. In the category of basic anthropometric measurements, the horizontal size items of the participants with paraplegia were reported to be larger than those of people without disabilities due to the development of the upper body resulting from wheelchair propulsion movements with some exceptions related to their overall body physiques. In sitting posture, there would be various factors affecting the anterior and lateral maximum/minimum reach measurements such as differences in neurological symptoms according to the spinal cord injury level and daily movement level. The data showed a meaningful difference between men and women in height and flexibility in sitting posture. An independent sample t-test was also performed between male and female groups. There were differences in the anthropometric values, range of motion, pinch force, and grip force between men and women with paraplegia. The measurement results of anthropometry of hand/foot and muscle strength of hands and fingers of Koreans with paraplegia would be used for designing products for their hands and feet such as hair dryers and tumblers. The results of range of motion measurements would be used as important data for the design and development of wheelchairs for people with spinal cord injury. The measurement results of Koreans with paraplegia would be used as basic data for designing and developing assistive technology and universal products for wheelchair users who work and perform daily activities. The anthropometric measurements of individuals with other subclassifications of disabilities will be necessary in the future study for more detailed implication and application in this field.

  • articleOpen Access

    ANTHROPOMETRY, MOTION RANGE, AND MUSCLE STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS OF AMPUTEES FOR DESIGNING LARGE-SCALE AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT

    The purpose of this study is to derive and analyze the static, dynamic, and muscle strength measurement items of amputees in Korea for the design of large-scale agricultural work equipment considering their altered physical characteristics and functions. A total of 46 amputees participated in the study, with 34 males and 12 females in the age ranging between 30 and 60 years. Thirty items were derived for the measurement items considering the designing of the large-scale agricultural work equipment. The measurement results were presented as 5%tiles, 50%tiles, and 95%tiles values by item and gender, and t-test verification was performed on gender basis. There was a statistically significant difference between the men and women in most of the measurement items. Our results indicate that the male data should be used for the spatial design of equipment with static measurement items and the design of the controllers with dynamic measurement items, whereas the female data should be applied in the designing of parts that require muscle strength, such as accelerators. The results of this study can provide a basic data for developing the design of large-scale agricultural work equipment and machines that are usable and convenient for amputees in Korea, and in exploring the anthropometric measurements of the subtypes of people with physical disabilities.

  • articleOpen Access

    Relationship between plantar pressure distribution and sagittal spinal curvatures among handball players: A cross-sectional study

    Background: Handball affects the spinal anterior–posterior curvatures and disturbs the foot plantar pressure which provides insights into alterations in an individual’s posture. However, little is known about how the mal-alignment affects the distribution of plantar pressure.

    Objective: To investigate the relationship between the thoracic kyphosis angle, and plantar pressure distribution among handball players.

    Methods: Sixty male handball players were distributed into two groups based on their thoracic kyphosis angles. Group A: 28 handball players with an angle greater than 44 (kyphotic group), and group B: 32 handball players with an angle equal to or less than 44 (normal group). The Formetric III 4D spine and DIERS Pedoscan devices were used to measure the trunk anthropometry and plantar pressure distribution. The Pearson correlation test was used to explore the relationship between the kyphosis angle and plantar pressure distribution.

    Results: Group A was significantly taller, had longer trunk length, greater lumbar lordosis angles, and forefoot plantar pressure (FPP), and less rearfoot plantar pressure (RPP) than group B (p<0.05). They showed a highly significant positive correlation between the thoracic kyphosis angle and FPP, and a highly significant negative correlation with the RPP (r=0.672, 0.650, respectively). There was no correlation between the lumbar lordosis angle and FPP or RPP (r=0.025, 0.045, respectively).

    Conclusion: Handball players with greater thoracic kyphosis angle have greater lumbar lordosis angle. Increasing the thoracic kyphosis angle is strongly associated with increased FPP and decreased RPP. While there is no relationship between the lumbar lordosis angle and FPP or RPP.