A.D.A.P.T. measures body proportions of the Central European population

An analysis of body proportions of members of the expedition to Mendel Polar Station came back with interesting results. Anthropologists from the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University used 3D full-body scanners to measure the scientists before and after the expedition, using the software platform A.D.A.P.T.

“The comparison of the data from the measurements and scanning showed variable results across the expedition. While younger participants gained weight, most of their older colleagues lost weight,” says Dominik Černý from the Department of Anthropology of the Faculty of Science. Černý and his colleagues also found out that the members of the polar expedition who declared in a questionnaire, prior to departure, that they care about healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and physical activity were among those gaining weight, while their colleagues showed weight loss. The changes were typically in the lower units of kilograms; typical weight loss was around 1–2 kilograms, while typical weight gain was around 3–5 kilograms. The actual individual result would largely depend on the participant’s general body weight.

Overall, sixteen members of the polar expedition took part in the study; 13 men and 3 women. The age of the male participants ranged between 28 and 69, while the age range of the female participants was 27–61. Two age categories were defined for the members of this year’s expedition: a smaller group of PhD students and younger scientists around 30; and a larger group of experienced scientists around 50 years of age. Their body proportions and weight were measured prior to the expedition, along with the relevant data, such as age or the nature of their profession (sedentary or not). The data collection included an interview on the nature of the participants’ lifestyle and physical activity, as well as a 3D full-body scan. The same data collection process was repeated after the expedition.

The 3D scanning showed that the changes in body shapes in persons with weight gain concerned the hip and buttocks area, regardless of gender. On the other hand, the changes in persons with weight loss were found in the stomach/abdominal area. “These results are probably due to changes in diet while at the station and the lack of opportunity to exercise there,” Černý explains.

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The 3D scanning showed that the changes in body shapes in persons with weight gain concerned the hip and buttocks area, regardless of gender. On the other hand, the changes in persons with weight loss were found in the stomach/abdominal area. “These results are probably due to changes in diet while at the station and the lack of opportunity to exercise there,” Černý explains.

His team’s main goals included the measurement of body proportions of the members of the expedition and the comparison of the data with the prevalent clothing size tables and older studies conducted in this area, and to evaluate any changes in the body shapes after the expedition.

“The process consisted in the comparison using the proportions measured and advanced methods of comparison of 3D meshes using the FIDENTIS Analyst programme. The standardisation of the 3D data took place at two levels. First, all members of the expedition were scanned in standard postures before and after the expedition. And second, 3D models were standardised is parts of corresponding models via statistical atlases (SSM),” Černý commented on the method. This comparison allowed for the quantification of differences on the participants’ bodies and to show the results via a colour-coordinate map on a 3D model, which helped identify the areas responsible for the weight gain or loss.

Masaryk University scientists have also compared a comparison of the data related to the polar expedition members with that of the Czech population in general and clothing sizes used by clothing manufacturers. Most expedition members were of above-average height; six of the thirteen men are at least 185 centimetres tall, while the average height of men in the Czech Republic is 181 cm. Therefore, more than 50% of the male participants were size L to XL. Only three women took part in the expedition, which is why any result should be regarded as less relevant due to the size of the sample. That being said, the female participants of this year’s expedition were clothing sizes S and M.

“We can use the A.D.A.P.T. platform and the data from it to coordinate with the suppliers of the equipment and clothing for our future Antarctic expeditions, or for the selection of clothing, personal protective equipment and tools for field work. This data is also very useful with regard to the identification of changes in body proportions of the population in general and the adjustment of the current definitions of clothing sizes,” Černý notes, adding that the 3D full-body scans can also be very useful to manufactures of special personal protective equipment which must be tailored.