Secular Trends of Adult Population and Their Impacts in Industrial Design and Ergonomics

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In the paper the authors present new national anthropometric data collections including data of functional dimensions using for design and ergonomics.That is be very important to publish, because not only the Slovak and the Czech ergonomic database is not actual, as well as the European (CEN) and the International (ISO) one.

According the description of the method to line:79-82 "…In a standing position, the body of students had to be relaxed, with legs close to each other and heels are positioned close to the wall, they had to look straight and not to tilt head back. The measuring tape with the accuracy of 0.01 cm was used to measure the parameters." it seems that all measurements were taken with a measuring tape. That is definitively not according to international anthropometric measurement standard.

So the data are not usable and not comparable.

The paper should be rejected

Furthermore  it is unclear, what is the main focus of the paper.

1. Is it a presentation of a new data collecting with relevance for industrial design and ergonomics?

In that case, the authors should clarify which measurement method there use. Are the measurements listed and described in ISO 7250/Part 1? 

Additional it is very important that the users of the data be aware that the data are only from students. Students are selected by social conditions and age.  The relevance for practical application is limited.

The authors mentioned it as a limitation, but it is a very important information, especially for engineers.

In the conclusion the association to ergonomics are general statements, and not very helpful. I suggest detailed information e.g. Do we need more workspace? Do we need other chair constructions, because we are heavier?

2. Is the paper focused on patterns of the secular trend and the discussion of the reasons?

A comparison of data measured in 2004 and 2018 suggested that the secular trend will observed as well. Than a statistic, testable hypothesis is needed.

The secular trend in most countries of the world is obvious and in the anthropological literature well written. The authors cited some important papers. But it is also common knowledge that according to increase of body height, we observed a change of proportions (e.g. longer extremities)(see Susanne & Bodzár 1998).

The data of body proportions are available in the data set. It should be discussed.

The interesting results are that the secular trend in body height is stopped if not even decreasing. It is questionable whether the common explanation of a direct influence of diet, health care and others (see line 315-317) fitted. Actually Bogin discusses in his new book Pattern of Human Growth (2020 in press) an influence on SEPE (Socio-economic-political-emotional influence) on body height, he referred Hermanussen & Scheffler (2016).

I suggest a reduction of the chapter how the data are calculated, that is almost well know and a reference should be enough.

The t-test is used. Are the data always normal distributed? Normally in a population, the body weight and associated measurements are not normal distributed.

I prefer using the term variables instead of the term parameter.

Author Response

Thank you very much for your kind suggestions to improve the paper. 

Please see attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Accept.

Author Response

Thanks for your review.

Reviewer 3 Report

Interesting and appropriate paper. Good luck!!

Author Response

Thanks for your review.

Reviewer 4 Report

The paper addresses an important issue, which is the impacts derived from the variation of anthropometric parameters of Slovak and Czech population in terms of industrial design and ergonomics. Before publication, the paper needs to be revised in order to reinforce the comparative analysis and discussion of the current findings, in light of the previous literature both theoretical and empirical one. One issue that needs to be addressed is also the lack of clarity regarding the implications coming from the evolution reported of the anthropometric parameters of Slovak and Czech population, in terms of industrial design and ergonomics. This is a critical issue to be solved for justifying the publication of this innovative approach. Furthermore, implications in terms of public health policy, as well as managerial implications for producers of massive use equipment need to be provided. Guidelines for future research are also welcome.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper addresses an important issue, which is the impacts derived from the variation of anthropometric parameters of Slovak and Czech population in terms of industrial design and ergonomics.

Before publication, the paper needs to be revised in order to reinforce the comparative analysis and discussion of the current findings, in light of the previous literature both theoretical and empirical one.

One issue that needs to be addressed is also the lack of clarity regarding the implications coming from the evolution reported of the anthropometric parameters of Slovak and Czech population, in terms of industrial design and ergonomics. This is a critical issue to be solved for justifying the publication of this innovative approach .

Furthermore, implications in terms of public health policy, as well as managerial implications for producers of massive use equipment need to be provided. 

Guidelines for future research are also welcome. 

 [ML1]Was added to line 353-362

 [ML2]Was added to line 363-371

 [ML3]It is very important to continue of this research and update the data, because the body weight and the population anthropometric characteristics are changing. The impact of these changes must be applied to the strength characteristics of selected types of furniture.

Line 353-371

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 5 Report

Authors should provide limitations section for the study.

For example:

1. The study was mainly conducted in students. The students differ from other sections of the society, either in socio economic strata or education levels. These factors have at least some effect on anthropometric measurements and may not be equal for all the strata of communities explored in the study. Uneducated labor class may have different measurements.
2. The study shows change in anthropometric measurements of certain communities. But the cause and effect relationship between anthropometric measurements and lack of ergonomic improvements as cause of certain diseases is not directly explored in the study.

Accepting the above or similar factors as limitations of the study at the end of discussion section is advised.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors should provide limitations section for the study.

For example:

1. The study was mainly conducted in students. The students differ from other sections of the society, either in socio economic strata or education levels. These factors have at least some effect on anthropometric measurements and may not be equal for all the strata of communities explored in the study. Uneducated labor class may have different measurements .
2. The study shows change in anthropometric measurements of certain communities. But the cause and effect relationship between anthropometric measurements and lack of ergonomic improvements as cause of certain diseases is not directly explored in the study. 

Accepting the above or similar factors as limitations of the study at the end of discussion section is advised.

 [MH1]Was added to line 356-365

 [ML2]It wasn´t part of the study, it is possible to deal with this issue in the next research, because it too broadens the focus of the article

Author Response File: Author Response.docx