ANTHROPOMETRY AND ERGONOMICS

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

T15002

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2021/2022

Type of Course:

Basic

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORT SCIENCES

Disciplinary Sector:

Anthropology

Is part of:

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND ANTHROPOMETRY

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

D'ANASTASIO RUGGERO

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

102

Prerequisites:

The course requires basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the
locomotor apparatus.

Objectives

Educational goals
The general training objective of the Course is to provide the knowledge
necessary to understand the phenomena underlying the variability of
anthropological characters in the different age groups and, consequently,
to the interpretation of anthropometric variables (morphological and
physiological). Therefore the course aims to allow students to develop
knowledge and skills related to anthropometric methods used in sports
and biomedical, processing and interpretation of data, taking into
account the sex, age and health status of those who practice motor
activity or needs to start motor programs.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the learning process the student will be able to know the
anthropometric methods, understand and interpret the data with
independent judgment, and possess the skills necessary to apply them in
order to evaluate the anthropometric profile of the athlete and contribute
to the programming and management of motor and sports activities in
public and private structures and in sports organizations (Societies and
Federations).
The student must also have a correct and appropriate language so as to
be able to relate to the best with subjects of different ages, gender and
population.

Contents

The course deals with the general theme of the variability of
morphological and functional human characters, which are expressed at
an individual and population level. The course, in particular, focuses on
the study of the anthropometric methodologies used in the study of the
variability of anthropological characters, both inter-individual (linked to
sex and the age of individuals), and inter-population (originated from the
anatomical and physiological adaptations, which the various human
populations have adopted during their evolutionary history) of sports’
interest and applicable in the field of sport sciences; besides, the course
illustrates the main statistical methods used in the study of human
variability. The course concludes by showing applicative examples of
anthropological methods in sports and in the main biomedical research
sectors.

Extended Syllabus

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Anthropology and Anthropometry: definition, purpose and
application fields.
Definition of anthropological characters and their classification:
qualitative and quantitative characters.
QUALITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Variability of qualitative anthropological characters (not measurable).
QUANTITATIVE (MEASURABLE) ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Variability of quantitative (measurable) anthropological characters:
general anthropometric concepts.
Human variability studied through metric-type anthropological
characters. Anthropometric norms, techniques and measuring
instruments.
Landmarks and anthropometric measures.
Anthropomeric indices of the head, face, bust and limbs.
Synthetic anthropometric indices and their biological significance: Livi
weight index, Body Mass Index, Röhrer index, Pignet strength index,
Vervaeck quotient, Parquet nutrition coefficient.
Calculation of body surface: methods of Dubois and Brettman.
Variability linked to sex, age and ancestry of the morphological
quantitative characters: height, weight, skin surface, body density.
Variability linked to sex, age and ancestry of the physiological
quantitative characters: maximum energy expenditure, basal
metabolism, body temperature.
NOTES OF STATISTICS FINALIZED IN THE STUDY OF VARIABILITY OF
ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Statistical description of anthropometric data.
Sample description and data analysis.
Distribution functions: normal or Gaussian distribution.
The percentiles.
Bivariate and multivariate analysis.
Correlation.
BODY COMPOSITION
Body composition determination techniques: densitometric methods,
anthropometric methods, hydrometric methods, total body potassium,
creatinine excretion and 3-matyl-histidine, bioelectrical impedance,
Computerized Axial Tomography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Total
Body Electric Conductivity (TOBEC), Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
(DEXA).
BIOTYPOLOGY
The Italian school of Viola.
The French school of Sigaud.
The German school of Kretschmer
The American school of Hunter and Sheldon (somatotype).
ANTHROPOMETRY OF HUMAN POPULATIONS
Synchronic variability (among the various human populations) of the
anthropometric characters: anthropometry and body composition
composition of the main human populations in relation to their
evolutionary and adaptive history to the various terrestrial environments.
ANTHROPOMETRY AND BODY COMPOSITION OF PROFESSIONAL AND
AMATEUR ATHLETES OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES: APPLICATION EXAMPLES.
Anthropometric profile of athletes in team sports: soccer, basketball,
volleyball.
Anthropometric profile of athletes in individual sports: athletics,
swimming.
Practical demonstration (for a total of 4 hours) a) detection of
anthropometric measurements and plicometric points and b) of data
processing for the purpose of reconstructing an athlete's anthropometric
profile.
Application examples of anthropometry in the fields of sport and scientific
research.

Recommended Bibliography

Chiarelli Bigazzi Sineo, 2004. Lineamenti di Antropologia, PICCIN.
Cagnazzo F. Cagnazzo R. 2009. Valutazione antropometrica in clinica,
riabilitazione e sport. Edi-Ermes.

Teaching Methods

The course is carried out through lectures, supplemented by practical
demonstrations of collection of anthropometric measurements and data
processing.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The verification of learning will take place through a closed-response test.
The test consists of thirty questions useful to evaluate both the
knowledge of the variability of anthropological characters and
anthropometric methods, and the technical-scientific skills to select the
usefull methods occording to the scientific aims and the kind of athletes.
Each question has three possible answers, of which only one is correct. Each correct answer is equivalent to a point. There is no deduction of points in the case of answers not given or wrong. The vote of the "Anthropometry" module is expressed in thirtieths and will average with the grade obtained in the other module, which completes the Integrated Course.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception on Tuesday at 10.00 am at the Operative Unit of
Anthropology. Contacts: tel. 0871.3553502; e-mail: r.danastasio@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree