Morphology in human body measurement refers to the study of the form, structure, and proportions of the body. It involves quantifying and analyzing various physical attributes such as height, weight, body proportions, limb lengths, and circumferences. As someone’s body morphology not only reflects their genetic predispositions but is also their lifestyle, environmental factors, and socio-cultural aspects, an understanding of body morphology aids in understanding human variation, health, treatment and designing tailored interventions in various field; fitness, sports science, ergonomics, and healthcare.
Such, that the influence of the understanding of body morphology can be found all around you – from the trivial: the shape of the chair you’re sat on, the clothes you are wearing and the dimension of your devices, to the critical: the design of your seat belt, your qualification for medical treatments and the dosages of those treatment.
However, the majority of body measures, methods and databases we currently use are outdated; they are not inclusive of age, sex, gender, ethnicity and / or disabilities. Which, for the trivial items is an annoyance but for critical items jeopardises – such as in the assessment of health – poses a risk to life.
Here in the Morphology Research Theme we take advantage of expertise and facilities that allow us to critically evaluate existing body measures, methods and databases in order to identify or create the most suitable for future use. Taking this knowledge we then try to influence policy, practice and standards within the relevant fields – including anthropometry and kinanthropometry.
The Morphology Research Theme is based in the Sports Engineering Research Group (SERG) at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), within Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) in the UK, and are members of the Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre (SMIC). Morphology Research Theme members include:
- Dr Alice Bullas : ISAK level 3 anthropometrist, specialising in the use of 3D surface imaging and an interest in the critical evaluation of the body measurement measures and methods used in the assessment of child health, with a focus on childhood obesity.
- Dr. Chuang-Yuan Chiu : ISAK level 2 anthropometrist, specialising in the creation of digital tracking and modelling of the body and an interest in *MISSING*
- Dr Mike Thelwell : ISAK level 1 anthropometrist, , specialising in use of 3D shape analysis techniques and an interest in the critical evaluation of the body measurement measures used to determine chemotherapy dosing.
- Dr John Hart : an expert in computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), reverse engineering and 3D imaging – in sport and health.
Whilst our primary member are from SERG, we regularly engage with other SHU groups (particularly sport, fashion and computer science) to complete internal and external research projects including:
- Dr Emma Jenkins (Art & Design)
- Professor Hora Soltani (Nursing & Midwifery)
If you are interested in learning more about or use of our expertise and equipment in in research, education / training or innovation, please get in contact.