Display options
Cite
Hsiao H, Whisler R, Weaver D, et al. Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design. Hum Factors. 2021;187208211064371doi: 10.1177/00187208211064371.
Hsiao, H., Whisler, R., Weaver, D., Hause, M., Newbraugh, B., Zwiener, J., Ronaghi, M., Bradtmiller, B., Rockwell, B., McDougall, V., & Brake, T. (2021). Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design. Human factors, 187208211064371. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211064371
Hsiao, Hongwei, et al. "Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design." Human factors vol. (2021): 187208211064371. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211064371
Hsiao H, Whisler R, Weaver D, Hause M, Newbraugh B, Zwiener J, Ronaghi M, Bradtmiller B, Rockwell B, McDougall V, Brake T. Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design. Hum Factors. 2021 Dec 31;187208211064371. doi: 10.1177/00187208211064371. Epub 2021 Dec 31. PMID: 34970917.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Hum Factors. 2021 Dec 31;187208211064371. doi: 10.1177/00187208211064371. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design.

Human factors

Hongwei Hsiao, Richard Whisler, Darlene Weaver, Mathew Hause, Bradley Newbraugh, Joyce Zwiener, Mahmood Ronaghi, Bruce Bradtmiller, Belva Rockwell, Vernon McDougall, Tiffany Brake

Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
  2. Anthrotech, Yellow Spring, OH, USA.
  3. Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, USA.

PMID: 34970917 DOI: 10.1177/00187208211064371

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated anthropometric changes of national law enforcement officers (LEOs) in 46 years, compared the differences between LEO data and civilian anthropometry, and identified the magnitude of differences in dimensions measured with gear versus semi-nude measurements.

BACKGROUND: The best available 46-year-old anthropometric dataset of LEOs has largely become outdated due to demographic changes. Additionally, anthropometric data of female LEOs and LEO measurements with gear are lacking.

METHOD: Thirty-four traditional body dimensions and 15 with gear measurements of 756 male and 218 female LEOs were collected through a stratified national survey using a data collection trailer that traveled across the U.S. and the data were compared to the LEO anthropometric data from 1975 and existing civilian anthropometric databases.

RESULTS: LEO body size and shape have evolved over the past 46 years - an increase of 12.2 kg in body weight, 90 mm in chest circumference, and 120 mm in waist circumference for men. No previous data was available for comparison for females. Compared to civilians, both male and female LEOs have a larger upper body build. LEO gear added 91 mm in waist breadth for men and 120 mm for women, and 11 kg in weight for men and 9 kg for women.

CONCLUSION: The study reveals that equipment design based on the existing civilian datasets or 46-year-old LEO dataset would not accommodate the current LEO population. The new data fill this gap.

Keywords: Police; body size; egress; protective gear; vehicle; women

Publication Types