ANTHROPOMETRICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHINESE AND GERMANS

Abstract

Introduction: It is known that anthropometrical data differ with gender, race, and age. In practice, researchers often use the statistical data obtained from previous studies for biomechanical modeling in sports. Accuracy is reduced by unsuitable racial data. Knowing the racial differences and statistical error can help scientists achieve a reasonable compromise between the accuracy of the estimates and the time required to complete the measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine anthropometrical differences between Chinese and Germans. METHODS: A method developed by Shan (1993, 1995) was utilized in this study. The process of the method is as follows: measure the characteristic profiles of a human body, reconstruct the entire body in the computer with the help of measured profiles, subdivide the body into several thousand columns, and finally calculate anthropometrical data such as segmental masses, centers of mass, radii of gyration, and moments of inertia. Sixty subjects (15 female Germans, 15 female Chinese, 15 male Germans, and 15 male Chinese) took part in this study. Correlation and regression analyses were made of body weight and/or height as independent variables. RESULTS: For the same body weight and height: the trunk of a Chinese is 1.8% (male 1.9%, female 1.7%) taller than that of a German, the leg of a German is 1.8% longer than that of a Chinese, the head of a Chinese is 2.6% (male 3.0%, female 2.3%) heavier than that of a German, and the leg of a German is 1.7% (male 1.6%, female 1.8%) heavier than that of a Chinese. The segmental masses are better estimated by body weight (r=0.6 - 0.8, p<0.1) than by body height or by body weight and height. The segmental lengths are well estimated by body height (r=0.6-0.7,). It is advised to estimate the segmental moment of inertia using both body weight and height. The statistical analysis in this study also shows that there are poor correlations between segmental radii of gyration and body weight or/and height (r=0.1-0.5,). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that anthropometrical models should consider racial differences to optimize the accuracy of calculations. For the estimation of segmental masses and lengths, a single parameter lead to suitable results. REFERENCES: Shan, G. B. (1993). A Low Costing Method for Measuring Anthropometrical Data. In XIVth Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Paris, 1230-1231. Shan, G. B., Nicol, K. (1995). Method for Obtaining Anthrometrical Data. In XVth Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Jyväskylä, 832-833.