Precise body measurements can save lives

Precise anthropometric measurements can help save lives by ensuring that protective clothing fits its wearer correctly, ERR reported. Researchers Ada Traumann, Teele Peets, Margit Kuusk and Jane Kivistik from Tallinn University of Applied Sciences write that this applies to clothing such as police field uniforms and firefighters’ protective suits.

Anthropometry is the science of measuring people. It helps determine the body measurements and shapes for which clothing should be designed.

If a firefighter’s trousers are too tight, for example, they can restrict hip movement and alter muscle activity. This may cause faster fatigue and even back pain. Thermal strain is an even more critical concern: clothing that is too tight prevents the body from releasing heat and can cause life-threatening heat stress in extreme conditions.

Incorrect sizing also affects the cost of equipment. Uniforms ordered in the wrong sizes may remain in storage because no suitable wearer can be found. Problems can also arise when incorrectly sized clothing is used anyway, as it may restrict movement and fail to provide the necessary protection.

Although clothing size numbers may initially appear clear, actual practice shows otherwise. Clothing size systems are based on standards that define the system of body measurements and the logic of labelling, but they do not establish one mandatory size chart for ready-made clothing. As a result, garments carrying the same size designation may have different measurements depending on the manufacturer.

Sizes intended for ordinary consumers, such as S to L, do not provide sufficiently precise information about the wearer’s body measurements for professional protective clothing. Finding the right size is further complicated by the fact that protective clothing is almost never a single garment. It is usually part of a layered system, ranging from a base layer to outer protective clothing.

Matching the layers makes it even harder to find a suitable size. Excess material and too much space between layers can restrict movement and create strong discomfort and a feeling of constriction, particularly in the armpit and shoulder areas. For this reason, protective clothing should use numerical size indicators that give wearers clear information about their body measurements and the appropriate size.

Height and chest circumference are the main starting points when determining the correct size, but these measurements alone are not sufficient. People differ in body structure, proportions and body measurements, while fit is also affected by the garment’s construction, material, degree of tightness and intended use.