Book Chapters by Miguel Carvalho
Advances in Design for Inclusion: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Design for Inclusion (AHFE 2017), 2017
This paper reports the findings of a preliminary study that intended to understand how wheelchair... more This paper reports the findings of a preliminary study that intended to understand how wheelchair rugby athletes feel about the clothing they wear while playing the sport and how the available clothes make them feel. 61 non-professional wheelchair rugby players from 21 different teams/clubs in the United Kingdom participated in this study. To understand the players' opinions, this study consisted of a mixed-method approach, with data collected through a focus group and a questionnaire. The results show that, on top of the lack of availability of sportswear for this specific sport, which compromises the athletes' satisfaction, comfort and performance, there is also a need on the part of the athletes for this type of specialized equipment. This study showed that there is a need for this type of sportswear , hence the importance to act and develop more specialized garments to satisfy this population not just in terms of safety, comfort and performance but also in terms of inclusivity. 1 Introduction To achieve optimum performance, clothes should be designed and adapted with clear consideration of the wearers' functional and performance needs. However, this can only happen if the specific body characteristics and the several dynamic postures adopted during the day are considered [1]. Moreover, the process of designing clothes should imply the use of population-specific anthropometric data and respond to users' requirements and needs. However, there are many cases where this does not occur. Wheelchair users are one of these populations that are neglected due to a lack of specific data. Consequently, the clothes they use are often designed using measurement of the able-bodied in the sitting position which, according to [2], are significantly different. There are even worst cases where the clothes are designed using measurements obtained from the standing position. As a result, many clothes do not to fit these specific users properly, as they do not fit into the existing size systems due to the differences in their body shape and size [3]. As such, many wheelchair users consider that obtaining suitable clothing is a very difficult task [4]. This mismatch is especially problematic for this population compared to others due to the psychological effects of clothing. Some studies show that wheelchair users do not want to wear a garment that highlights their condition – a reason why most of them prefer to adapt common clothing pieces rather that purchase purpose-specific ones [5]. Wheelchair users have special requirements that common clothing does not satisfy (e.g. pressure points, temperature and humidity control). Nonetheless, the clothing items for this population should also be aesthetically pleasing, comfortable to wear (in all its variables), practical, and easy to put on and take off [6]. It is very important that clothes do not cause pain or discomfort by being too loose or too tight or by not correctly fitting some parts of the body. To design clothing that fits the users' specific requirements there are many variables that should be considered, such as fabric, function, sensorial comfort, performance expectations and ease determination [7] These principles should be applied not only to everyday clothing, they are also crucial in sportswear , as safety and performance are key issues that might be affected with inappropriate designs. This paper reports the findings of a preliminary study that intended to understand how wheelchair rugby athletes feel about the clothing they wear while playing the sport. This study is part of an ongoing larger project focused on inclusive fashion. For this study, a questionnaire was completed by a sample of 61 non-professional wheelchair rugby players from 21 different teams/clubs in the United Kingdom. The responses were used to assess the satisfaction of the players towards the items of sportswear they currently use during training and competition of wheelchair rugby as well as to identify current problems with the sportswear and possible solutions that would satisfy the users' needs.
Advances in Ergonomics in Design: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Ergonomics in Design (AHFE 2016), 2016
The shape and size of the human body is affected by the posture adopted in order to perform vario... more The shape and size of the human body is affected by the posture adopted in order to perform various activities. The human body is constantly changing and adapting to the movements executed in everyday life. As such, knowledge about the body changes that occur with the adoption of different postures is essential. Besides the obvious adverse health effects caused by spending long periods of time in certain postures, the adopted posture may influence people’s interaction even with the simplest items such as clothing. For all these reasons, being able to determine the anthropometric changes related to different work postures is very important to occupational ergonomics. The main objective of this paper is to identify and quantify the body changes that occur with each of the postures adopted.
Occupational Safety and Hygiene III: 11th International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO 2015), 2015
Three-dimensional body scanners have revolutionized the anthropometric data collection. These dat... more Three-dimensional body scanners have revolutionized the anthropometric data collection. These data can be used for numerous applications, in different fields of expertise. However, there are different types of technologies and products to be used, influencing the re-sults obtained. This paper presents a non-exhaustive synopsis of the existing technologies and products available in the market.
Occupational Safety and Hygiene II: 10th International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO 2014), 2014
This paper presents a literature review of anthropometric data collection to address occupational... more This paper presents a literature review of anthropometric data collection to address occupational ergonomics issues. One of the uses of anthropometry is to assess the negative effects associated with working postures. Using new techniques, such as 3D body scanners, it is possible to have very reliable data to use in the enhancement of workstation design or other ergonomic interventions, in order to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Conferences by Miguel Carvalho
6th International Ergonomics Conference (E 2016), 2016
Most work and leisure activities imply the adoption of many dynamic postures, such as stretching ... more Most work and leisure activities imply the adoption of many dynamic postures, such as stretching the arms foreword or upwards. Some of these postures can be restricted or obstructed by the clothes people wear, as they may be too tight or too loose, limiting/obstructing the range of movements. In this paper, it will be presented a preliminary study to support the development of a prototype of a flexible garment that can be adapted to several dynamic postures. For this study, two female body basic patterns were created: one with the regular static body measurements and the other with the body measurements in a dynamic posture. These models were compared using 5 compression sensors that were used to evaluate the compression forces exerted on the participants’ body. With this study, it was possible to conclude that clothes that are not designed taking in consideration the dynamic postures greatly affect the users’ felling of comfort and performance.
Fiber Society Fall 2014 Conference (FS 2014), 2014
The standards used by clothing manufacturers are defined for younger age group, disabling older p... more The standards used by clothing manufacturers are defined for younger age group, disabling older people to be accommodated by the apparel industry. These misfit garment problems are generally due to the different body configurations brought by the aging process, causing dissatisfaction and frustration. There are very few garments available that were designed taking in consideration the older population anthropometrics. As such, it is important to understand the various measurements that characterize the senior population in order to produce more form-fitting garments.
The objective of this paper is to perform a comparative analysis between the body dimension of younger and older people. Additionally, it is intended to create a base model for a mannequin that has the appropriate anthropometric dimensions to accommodate the older population.
Fiber Society Fall 2015 Conference (FS 2015), 2015
Clothes are designed to fit people within a range of
dimensions and general body types. Designers... more Clothes are designed to fit people within a range of
dimensions and general body types. Designers rely on
anthropometric studies of target populations, considering
their standing and static position. Personalized fit can be
more readily attained today if desired as body scanners can
provide individual dimensions instantly, whilst manual
studies with the tried and true measuring tape and emerging
anthropometric devices can further improve accuracy.
Yet, the consumer cannot be sure of “best fit” simply
by referring to product information. Different brands use
different measurements and provide different size numbers,
with different steps between sizes. The active person is
further at risk for fit changes when we sit to work, drive, or
just travel, when we walk, bend, ride a bike or a horse. Our
body shape and measurements change with motion, but the
clothing we wear is not designed to adapt to the, and what
fits in one scenario may not in another, creating in some
circumstances not just discomfort but even damage.
In this paper we present the results obtained with the
design and engineering of a pair of jeans, able to move with
our body, reflecting the way we lead our lives. Because we
don’t stand up all day, garment design should conform to
body position and posture, not just shape and size. Sensors
to measure compression forces, pressure and temperature
were used while participants were working in a sitting
position with their standard jeans and with FYT Jeans –
Engineered for Comfort. The new jeans provided significant
decreases in compression forces, especially in and around
the knees, waist and crotch.
90th Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2016), 2016
The work garments’ fit is one factor that highly impacts on workers’ productivity and on their fe... more The work garments’ fit is one factor that highly impacts on workers’ productivity and on their feeling of comfort. Work-wear may have some limitation, e.g. mobility, protection, temperature, aesthetics, comfort and fit. Moreover, as the variation of the human size and shape is so large it is extremely difficult to design clothes that can accommodate a large variety of people. The purpose of this paper is to present some important aspects that should be taken in consideration when designing clothes to be used at work. All information was gathered using a questionnaire, to understand how the participants feel about the clothes they usually wear at work and to identify what changes should be made to make it more comfortable – e.g. increase in the leg length. The results obtained show that there is more dissatisfaction towards the lower part of the garment. There are some issues that prompt discomfort such as the excessive leg length or the tightness of the garment.
International Journals by Miguel Carvalho
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2017
Sitting for long periods of time, both during work and leisure times, is the typical behavior of ... more Sitting for long periods of time, both during work and leisure times, is the typical behavior of the modern society. Especially at work, where there is not much flexibility, adopting the sitting posture for the entire day can cause some short-and long-term effects. As workers' productivity and well-being relies on working conditions, evaluating the effects caused by the work postures assumes a very important role. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the variation of some anthropometric measurement during one typical workday to understand if the known long-term effects, can also be seen and quantified in an 8-hour period. Twenty participants were measured before and after work, using traditional anthropometry equipment. The data from the two repetitions was compared using some statistical tests. The results showed a slight variation in the anthropometric measurements, some with the tendency to increase over time, and others with the tendency to decrease.
Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 2018
Background Collecting anthropometric data for real-life applications demands a high degree of pre... more Background Collecting anthropometric data for real-life applications demands a high degree of precision and reliability. It is important to test new equipment that will be used for data collection. Objective Compare two anthropometric data gathering techniques – manual methods and a Kinect-based 3D body scanner – to understand which of them gives more precise and reliable results. Methods The data was collected using a measuring tape and a Kinect-based 3D body scanner. It was evaluated in terms of precision by considering the regular and relative Technical Error of Measurement and in terms of reliability by using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Reliability Coefficient, Standard Error of Measurement and Coefficient of Variation. Results The results obtained showed that both methods presented better results for reliability than for precision. Both methods showed relatively good results for these two variables, however, manual methods had better results for some body measurements. Conclusion Despite being considered sufficiently precise and reliable for certain applications (e.g. apparel industry), the 3D scanner tested showed, for almost every anthropometric measurement, a different result than the manual technique. Many companies design their products based on data obtained from 3D scanners, hence, understanding the precision and reliability of the equipment used is essential to obtain feasible results.
Applied Ergonomics, 2018
Wheelchair rugby is a sport that has been gaining popularity with athletes with disabilities. How... more Wheelchair rugby is a sport that has been gaining popularity with athletes with disabilities. However, as it is relatively new and not played by the masses, market specific sportswear is not available for this sport, which impacts directly on performance and clothing satisfaction of the athletes. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to identify the problems that wheelchair rugby players face with the sportswear they use for playing the game. The data was collected using a focus group and a questionnaire with 61 wheelchair rugby players in the United Kingdom. Based on their suggestions, on the team expertise, and on the literature, a set of design recommendations was proposed for the upper body garments (tops), lower body garments (bottoms), and gloves. The results demonstrated that the gloves currently available negatively impact on players' ability to participate with satisfactory levels of protection and comfort. Moreover, tops and bottoms also present issues, mainly in the fit and ability to regulate the core body temperature. Hence, the recommendations proposed can provide designers with key information on the specific sportswear requirements and allow them to design and develop products that can satisfy real needs of specific end-users. This paper intends to raise awareness of the needs of sportswear for those playing wheelchair rugby and promote the inclusivity of athletes with disabilities.
Procedia Manufacturing, 2015
Physical and physiological comfort, at work and during leisure time, is important to human health... more Physical and physiological comfort, at work and during leisure time, is important to human health and motivation. A growing number of jobs require workers to sit. Most clothes, except those intended for wheelchair users, were designed for walking or the standing position. Clothing designs should be user-oriented and meet users’ needs. Garment design should conform to body position and posture, not just shape and size. In this paper we present the ergometric impact of a new type of trousers designed to adapt to changes in position. Concentrations of compression forces, temperature and pressure were documented in an exploratory pilot study and contrasted to traditional designs. The new trousers showed significant decreases in compression force concentration, especially in and around the knees and waist. Most participants identified comfort as an important factor when purchasing a pair of trousers and that, for working purposes, they would prefer these special trousers rather than traditional designs.
DYNA-Colombia, 2016
The study of human body size and shape has been a topic of research for a very long time. In the ... more The study of human body size and shape has been a topic of research for a very long time. In the past, anthropometry used traditional measuring techniques to record the dimensions of the human body and reported variance in body dimensions as a function of mean and standard deviation. Nowadays, the study of human body dimensions can be carried out more efficiently using three-dimensional body scanners, which can provide large amounts of anthropometric data more quickly than traditional techniques can. This paper presents a description of the broad range of issues related to the collection of anthropometric data using three-dimensional body scanners, including the different types of technologies available and their implications, the standard scanning process needed for effective data collection, and the possible sources of measurement errors that might affect the reliability and validity of the data collected.
Papers by Miguel Carvalho
Advances in Ergonomics in Design, 2018
This paper describes a study of the children’s clothing sizing used by Portuguese companies. A su... more This paper describes a study of the children’s clothing sizing used by Portuguese companies. A survey of children’s fashion brands was conducted in Portugal, accessing official public data, followed by a field research. A semi structured interview technique was used to interview designers and patternmakers, using two distinct scripts. The purpose was to better understand the reality of the Portuguese children’s fashion industry, mapping the profile of these brands, understanding how they deal with garment sizing, as well as to know how their body measurements tables were obtained. The study was carried out in the northern region of Portugal, where there is a greater concentration of apparel companies in the country. The selection criteria of the companies considered in the study was based in those whose target audience is between the ages of interest of this research, i.e. 3 to 9 years old.
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
The study of the body measurements of Brazilian women used the Kinect Body Imaging system for 3D ... more The study of the body measurements of Brazilian women used the Kinect Body Imaging system for 3D body scanning. The result of the study aims to meet the needs of the apparel industry for accurate measurements. Data was statistically treated using the IBM SPSS 23 system, with 95% confidence (P<0,05) for the inferential analysis, with the purpose of grouping the measurements in sizes, so that a smaller number of sizes can cover a greater number of people. The sample consisted of 101 volunteers aged between 19 and 62 years. A cluster analysis was performed to identify the main body shapes of the sample. The results were divided between the top and bottom body portions; For the top portion, were used the measurements of the abdomen, waist and bust circumferences, as well as the height; For the bottom portion, were used the measurements of the hip circumference and the height. Three sizing systems were developed for the researched sample from the Abdomen-to-Height Ratio-AHR (top portion
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2017
Este artigo resultado da pesquisa realizada com uma equipa de jogadores de basquetebol em cadeira... more Este artigo resultado da pesquisa realizada com uma equipa de jogadores de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas da Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes – APD – Delegação Distrital de Braga- Portugal, investigou o design ideal de vestuário para desportistas cadeirantes. O trabalho apresenta a importância da utilização da ergonomia e antropometria no design da modelagem do vestuário para pessoas com necessidades especiais motoras - PCNEMs.This article is a result of a research that involves a team of basketball players who use wheelchairs. They belong to the Portuguese Association of Disabled – PAD – Delegation of the District of Braga- Portugal. The Association investigated the optimal design of clothing for wheelchair athletes. The paper present the importance of the use of ergonomics and anthropometry in design, modeling clothing for people with special needsin driving PCNEMs.ALBA
Advances in Ergonomics in Design, 2020
Over the years, the nature of firefighting and the role of firefighters has evolved including a d... more Over the years, the nature of firefighting and the role of firefighters has evolved including a demographic change, with an increasing number of women in this profession. Recent studies have specifically addressed the particular needs of female firefighters. Ill-fitting turnout gear, protective gloves, and other personal protective equipment make female firefighters’ tasks not only uncomfortable but also more difficult and dangerous. A pilot study comprising both male and female firefighters from a fire brigade located in the North of Portugal was conducted. The goal was to investigate the fit of the Portuguese firefighters’ personal protective equipment, its level of adjustment to their anthropometrics and to identify areas that need improvement. This paper focuses on gender differences and presents the preliminary results regarding size selection and purchasing of protective clothing as well as the level of protection experienced among participants.
The work garments’ fit is one factor that highly impacts on workers’ productivity and on their fe... more The work garments’ fit is one factor that highly impacts on workers’ productivity and on their feeling of comfort. Work-wear may have some limitation, e.g. mobility, protection, temperature, aesthetics, comfort and fit. Moreover, as the variation of the human size and shape is so large it is extremely difficult to design clothes that can accommodate a large variety of people. The purpose of this paper is to present some important aspects that should be taken in consideration when designing clothes to be used at work. All information was gathered using a questionnaire, to understand how the participants feel about the clothes they usually wear at work and to identify what changes should be made to make it more comfortable – e.g. increase in the leg length. The results obtained show that there is more dissatisfaction towards the lower part of the garment. There are some issues that prompt discomfort such as the excessive leg length or the tightness of the garment.
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Book Chapters by Miguel Carvalho
Conferences by Miguel Carvalho
The objective of this paper is to perform a comparative analysis between the body dimension of younger and older people. Additionally, it is intended to create a base model for a mannequin that has the appropriate anthropometric dimensions to accommodate the older population.
dimensions and general body types. Designers rely on
anthropometric studies of target populations, considering
their standing and static position. Personalized fit can be
more readily attained today if desired as body scanners can
provide individual dimensions instantly, whilst manual
studies with the tried and true measuring tape and emerging
anthropometric devices can further improve accuracy.
Yet, the consumer cannot be sure of “best fit” simply
by referring to product information. Different brands use
different measurements and provide different size numbers,
with different steps between sizes. The active person is
further at risk for fit changes when we sit to work, drive, or
just travel, when we walk, bend, ride a bike or a horse. Our
body shape and measurements change with motion, but the
clothing we wear is not designed to adapt to the, and what
fits in one scenario may not in another, creating in some
circumstances not just discomfort but even damage.
In this paper we present the results obtained with the
design and engineering of a pair of jeans, able to move with
our body, reflecting the way we lead our lives. Because we
don’t stand up all day, garment design should conform to
body position and posture, not just shape and size. Sensors
to measure compression forces, pressure and temperature
were used while participants were working in a sitting
position with their standard jeans and with FYT Jeans –
Engineered for Comfort. The new jeans provided significant
decreases in compression forces, especially in and around
the knees, waist and crotch.
International Journals by Miguel Carvalho
Papers by Miguel Carvalho
The objective of this paper is to perform a comparative analysis between the body dimension of younger and older people. Additionally, it is intended to create a base model for a mannequin that has the appropriate anthropometric dimensions to accommodate the older population.
dimensions and general body types. Designers rely on
anthropometric studies of target populations, considering
their standing and static position. Personalized fit can be
more readily attained today if desired as body scanners can
provide individual dimensions instantly, whilst manual
studies with the tried and true measuring tape and emerging
anthropometric devices can further improve accuracy.
Yet, the consumer cannot be sure of “best fit” simply
by referring to product information. Different brands use
different measurements and provide different size numbers,
with different steps between sizes. The active person is
further at risk for fit changes when we sit to work, drive, or
just travel, when we walk, bend, ride a bike or a horse. Our
body shape and measurements change with motion, but the
clothing we wear is not designed to adapt to the, and what
fits in one scenario may not in another, creating in some
circumstances not just discomfort but even damage.
In this paper we present the results obtained with the
design and engineering of a pair of jeans, able to move with
our body, reflecting the way we lead our lives. Because we
don’t stand up all day, garment design should conform to
body position and posture, not just shape and size. Sensors
to measure compression forces, pressure and temperature
were used while participants were working in a sitting
position with their standard jeans and with FYT Jeans –
Engineered for Comfort. The new jeans provided significant
decreases in compression forces, especially in and around
the knees, waist and crotch.