A protocol to create an anthropometric database applicable to any population

Anthropometric data are used in various industries from product design for customers to layout and tool design for workers. Notwithstanding, data collection methods to create anthropometric databases are different across sources. Despite the existence of the International Organization for Standardization and the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, many databases neither follow guidelines nor represent the diversity of the intended population. Through a literature review, we created a protocol to create an anthropometric database, outlining the stages before, during and after data acquisition. This protocol starts with the description of factors that should be considered, namely age, sex/gender, ethnicity, geographical location, and occupation. Since it is important to have a sample that adequately represents the population of interest, this protocol covers sample size calculation and recruitment strategies. Afterwards, the equipment for manual measurements and 3D/4D scanners as well as the layout and personnel are detailed. The description of the measurements and how to take them are also thoroughly explained to maintain a high accuracy and consistency. The final steps consider data storage, data processing and presentation. Ethical considerations are embedded in all the steps. This protocol gathers the ideas from standards and common practices found in different studies, facilitating the construction of an anthropometric database of a specific population. We recommend databases that consider representativeness of the targeted population, an adequate sample size, standardized anthropometric survey methods including equipment and space, standardized data presentation and privacy considerations of participants.