Anthropometric Data is the study which involves the huma n body and its related movements in a given space, and it is about measuring and researching into bodily measurements relating to people. It involves collecting statistics and measurements related to the human body. Anthropometry (roots from the Greek word “anthropos” m eans “human”, and “metron” which means “measure”) refers to the measurement of the individual human being. Anthropometry involves the systematic measurement of the physical properties of the human body, primarily dimensional descriptors of body size and shape.

Interiors
In the hands of the Interior Designer, Anthropometrics is a useful tool by means of which he works out the measurements of furniture, how high it should be or low it can g o, to what extent an individual male or female may live and attain optimal comfort. There are important factors to be considered when designing circulation spaces, sofas, cabinet s or joinery, working furniture and accessible spaces to maximize the user comfort in the given interior environment. These anthropometric measurements are taken as per the individuals inhabiting that space and the drawings are prepared of the people while they are performing various functions and movements.

Commercial Space
Anthropometry influences a wide range of industries, processes, services and products and has a considerable importance in optimising the design of buildings. The role anthropometry plays in our lives today can be seen in industrial design, clothing design, ergonomics, architecture and Interior Design. Statistical data is useful to understand the distribution of body dimensions so as to optimize products and their utility value. The change of the century has seen drastic change s in patterns of food habits and lifestyles, which has majorly impacted the physiological composition of the huma n body proportions (e.g., obesity, child obesity, etc.), and this in turn requires regular updating of anthropometric data records.

Important considerations are to be given to office spaces and furniture in the work place as we spend maximum time at work. Next in line come bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. Restaurants also have to be carefully designed keeping Anthropometric data in mind as there should be free movement space between tables for waiters to circulate around with loaded trays in hand. The building regulations provide a range of standard requirements and approved solutions for designers to help develop suitable designs. However, it is important to consider the specific purpose and requirements of end users. Attempts to apply standardised dimensions may not reflect the true need of the space requirements.

Kitchen
Now let us come back a little to the home front. If anyone is designing kitchen cabinets and the kitchen working countertop, the height of the house lady will have to be borne in mind. When designing book shelves and other furniture for the house, the eye level of the people living in has to be taken into consideration. If it’s a family of genetically tall or short people then that factor is important to incorporate.

Dining
Similarly, while designing the dining table or study table, the standard height of the table and chairs will have to be customized to suit the needs of the client. On the other hand, if it’s a family of relatively large people then the passages outside rooms or kitchens will have to be more accommodating in width. Families that house elderly people or in some cases physically disabled people, must keep customized record of anthropometric data. Special handles can be fixed at intervals to aid their movement which has to be according to their measurements. Anthropometric data helps to establish the perfect relationship between user and space for optimal comfort and synchronization.
Human dimensions and capabilities are paramount in determining a building's dimensions and overall design. The underlying principle of anthropometrics is that building designs should adapt to suit the human body, rather than people having to adapt to suit the buildings.

There are two basic areas of anthropometry:
• Static anthropometry is the measurement of body sizes at rest and when using devices such as chairs, tables, beds, mobility devices, and so on.
• Functional anthropometry is the measurement of abilities related to the completion of tasks, such as reaching, manoeuvring and motion, and other aspects of space and equipment use.
Older people, children, people with mobility issues, wheelchair users and so on may have specific requirements. In particular, good accessibility and easy manoeuvrability around the building must be considered when designing stairs, lifts, ramps and other features.
Anthropometry may also impact on space requirements for furniture and fittings. For example, a bathroom must have enough space to comfortably fit a bath and sink; a bedroom must have enough space to comfortably fit an average-sized bed; an office building must have enough space to fit desks, air-conditioning units, communal areas, meeting rooms, and so on.

Inclusive design
If we are designing something for one particular person then we can tailor it to suit exactly the needs and requirements of that person. However, if that person wants other people to be able to also use it then we need to design it to accommodate a greater variety of requirements since people come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, strengths of grip, dexterity, etc.
Historically many designers have tried to limit the range of people they design for, by either ignoring those people who fall outside the majority in the designer's social group; designing it to fit the designer's own shape; developing a standardised human form to fit their design – the mythical 'universal man'; identifying the extent of sizes and then designing to fit 95% of those people within that range.

Universal design
These provide a broad conceptual starting point for the underpinning ethos of inclusive design, however, there has been criticism that they are too vague to be applied practically in practice. The problems that occur in the built environment are complex and often interlinked. Isolating one individual element may allow the principles to be used, but when viewed as a larger picture issue beyond the designer's control confound the principles.

Relationship Between Anthropometrics and Ergonomics
Anthropometrics is the study of the human body and its movements, especially in terms of its measurements, but ergonomics is the scientific discipline that involves designing products and environments to match the individuals who use them. While anthropometrics involves the systematic measurement of the physical properties of the human body (height, weight, shape, arm length, etc.), ergonomic involves incorporating anthropometric data in designing products and environments. For instance, anthropometrics may involve measuring the circumference of heads of a target population and obtaining an average value whereas ergonomics may use this average head circumference value to design safety helmets.
Anthropometrics involve research that includes measurements of the human body while ergonomics involves using anthropometric data when designing products to improve user experience. The primary difference between anthropometrics and ergonomics is their focus and use. Anthropometric data helps designers to design their product.