Modern views on anthropometric variability of the upper airway (literature review)

Annotation. The versatility and complexity of the structure of the upper airway is the subject of research by researchers in various fields of medicine. In particular, the greatest attention is paid to infectious diseases, injuries and their consequences, congenital pathologies of the upper airway. However, to understand certain processes in the human body, in particular pathological, it is necessary to know which indicators of the upper airway should be considered normal and what can affect their value. The purpose of this work is to systematize information and acquaint with modern views on anthropometric variability of the upper airway. To achieve this goal, an analysis of literature sources not older than 10 years, included in the scientometric databases Scopus, Web of Science and Google Academy. A study of scientific papers has shown that the most effective and appropriate method of studying the indicators of the upper airway for further anthropometric analysis is a cephalometric study. The analysis of foreign literature showed the importance of the influence of such factors as sex, age, nationality and structural features of cranial and dental-maxillary parameters on the cephalometric parameters of the upper airway. In the analysis of the domestic literature, research performed in this direction was not found. Thus, conducting research to identify normative cephalometric indicators of the upper airway in the Ukrainian population, taking into account the experience of foreign scientists is a promising and relevant area of research for both theoretical and clinical medicine in Ukraine.

Anthropometric Measurement and Comparative Analysis of Ethiopian Army Personnel Across Age, Ethnicity, and Nationality

The anthropometric characteristics of the users depend upon the topography, nutrition, age, ethnicity, gender, and living conditions, and play a crucial role in the design of the equipment and the workspace to be used by them. This study aims to establish an anthropometry database for male Ethiopian army personnel and investigate the anthropometric variability across ethnicity, age, and with other countries, with the intention to facilitate ergonomic design and development of various facilities (e.g., equipment/ devices, and workspaces) for the Ethiopian army. Following the reliability assessment of the physical measurement technique, the anthropometric data from 250 Ethiopian male army personnel (four different ethnic groups at different age levels) were collected, and normality of the data set was tested. The anthropometric database of Ethiopian army personnel in terms of range, mean, standard deviation, percentile values (5th, 50th, and 95th) was documented. PCA was applied to select a smaller representative by reducing a larger set of variables for further statistical analysis and applications. ANOVA and follow-up posthoc test (Tukey’s HSD test) were carried out to compare anthropometric differences among different age groups and ethnic variations. The mean anthropometric differences were also compared with databases from other countries (India, Korea, and USA) using t-test. Significant variations were found when the anthropometry was compared between age, ethnicity, and cross-nationals. The findings indicate that variations in age, ethnicity, and geographical factors could have a significant impact on the ergonomic design of equipment and workspaces of Ethiopian army personnel.

Tractor Rollover Protection: Is the Incorrect Use of Foldable Rollover Protective Structures Due to Human or to Technical Issues?

Objective:To identify the critical behaviors that may hinder the correct use of foldable rollover protective structures (FROPS) on tractors and to explore the influence of user factors and FROPS technical characteristics.Background:FROPS are effective in preventing fatal injuries in rollover accidents if they are in the upright position. However, many farmers leave FROPS folded down.Method:Twenty farmers and sixteen models of tractors were involved in the study. Operators were observed while raising the FROPS, and the observed behaviors were correlated with user factors and FROPS technical features.Results:In the initial rotation of the FROPS, higher lowered roll-bar to ground distance and FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance required more awkward and unbalanced postures ( p = .02 and p = .01, respectively). When rotating the FROPS in upright position, smaller stature of the participants and higher FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance were significantly correlated with using the tractor’s rear 3-point lower links as a supporting surface ( p = .01 and p = .02, respectively).Conclusion:FROPS might be revised considering users’ comfort in use and anthropometric variability, to improve reachability, avoid risky behaviors, and enhance FROPS operation.Application:Technical solutions to enhance FROPS accessibility may be developed, particularly by providing safe surfaces to support operators and highlighting the grasping points. Further best practices and information on correct gestures to handle the FROPS should be included in the tractor manual.

Pedagogy as a Fundamental Part of School Furniture Design

The teaching-learning processes are carried out through established objectives for each grade level and these are achieved with didactic activities based on principles, educational concepts, and pedagogical contents. Activities that are divided into specific tasks that are performed with physical aids such as furniture and classroom generate diverse forms of work. Through observations it was detected that the current furniture did not respond to the pedagogical and didactic practices and there is no data indicating that it is designed according to the anthropometric variability of the students of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara according to the school grade taken by the student. Therefore, the authors sought to know the physical and functional characteristics required by school furniture to be a facilitator of pedagogical and didactic practices to make a proposal of a furniture design that meets both the pedagogical demands and the anthropometric variability of schoolchildren.

FACTORS LEADING TO LATERAL ANKLE SPRAIN: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objective of the review is to get to know the different factors which leads to the most common injury associated with sports persons to the ankle that is the lateral ankle sprain. Many factors cause ankle sprain — gender (whether females are more predisposed to ankle sprain than males); anthropometric variability and limb dominance, muscle strength including evertors–invertor's strength and pro-activation of peroneal muscles. Previous episode of ankle sprain also affects the stability as it alters the proprioception leading to impaired neuromuscular facilitation. Joint laxity (pathological — due to injury and nonpathological — generalized body laxity) is also considered as another causative factor. Type and duration of the game or putting the assistive device during the game or training also contribute to the ankle sprain. By knowing the predisposing factors, athletes will be given more specific rehabilitation according to their risk factor, especially focusing on their advance rehabilitation. Athletes can also be taught to take the preventive measures by determining their risk factor and preparing according to it.