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Ergonomía Ocupacional. Investigaciones y Aplicaciones. Vol 3

2010

"ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA OF STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SONORA, SONORA, MEXICO"
Martina Elisa Platt Borbón, Amina Marín Martínez, María Magdalena Ayala, Rafael Castillo Ortega and Félix Montaño Valle Industrial Engineering Department, Universidad de Sonora, Sonora, México
1mplatt@industrial.uson.mx,2amarin@industrial.uson.mx,3magdar@industrial.uson.mx,4rcastillo@industrial. uson.mx,5felixm@industrial.uson.mx

RESUMEN Las cartas antropométricas dan la información acerca de las dimensiones de una población determinada y son muy utilizadas por los diseñadores. Los expertos en diseño afirman que una ayuda física diseñada para una población especifica, no es óptima para cualquier otra; ésto parece lógico, pero ennuestro país, no es posible ratificar o rectificar esta afirmación debido a que desconocemos las Cartas Antropométricas Mexicanas. La antropometría es la determinante de las condiciones ergonómicas; por tanto, los estudios antropométricos deben referirse a una población específica y de ahí nuestro interés por conocer las medidas de los estudiantes de la Universidad de Sonora. Se incluye un ejemplo delas tablas antropométricas por edad y por sexo de un estudio realizado a 227 estudiantes de la Universidad de Sonora, Unidad regional Centro y se describe la metodología utilizada. ABSTRACT Anthropometric data gives information about the dimensions of a certain population and it is used by designers. Design experts affirm that physical equipment and facilities designed for a specific population,are not good for any other one; this seems logical, but, in our country, it is not possible to ratify or to rectify this statement because many of us ignore the Mexican Anthropometric data.

Sociedad de Ergonomistas de México, A.C.

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Ergonomía Ocupacional. Investigaciones y Aplicaciones. Vol 3

2010

In order to design ergonomic living and working conditions, anthropometric principlesmust be applied; therefore anthropometric studies should refer to a specific population and it is our interest to know the dimensions and some physical features of the students of the University of Sonora. This research contains data collected in a sample of 227 students of the University of Sonora, Sonora, Mexico, from January to December, 2009; their body dimensions by age and sex, are depictedin figures 1 and 2, and the methodology used is also described.

INTRODUCTION Nowadays, men have reached an unusual development. Tools, equipment, machines and all kind of technology that are available aim for comfort and well-being in our daily life, as well as effectiveness, adaptability, prevention and for safety at work. These advances always arrive of the hand with new models of equipment,machines, tools or vehicles, which more dissimilar, force men to adapt themselves inside of or outside of them, implying possible risks, mainly at work places (McCormick, 1982). In all men’s activities, some or a lot of physical effort is needed, and they need and will continue needing physical assistance to reduce fatigue, to improve manufactured items or to produce them more quickly; someexamples are: pincers or a hammer in a shop, a typewriter in an office, a pan in the kitchen or a stairway and its handrails in a building, etc. New scientific approaches and technological advances are key elements in designing to achieve higher productivity with almost perfect equipment and machinery. These items should eliminate the sources of risks and injuries. Designs should also take into accountmen’s physical characteristics, limitations and capabilities who will use them; designs must adapt physical tools to users and should avoid unnecessary efforts, tasks must be performed quickly, easily and safely, since individuals are more productive being comfortable at work.

Sociedad de Ergonomistas de México, A.C.

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