title: Time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel between 1977 and 2012.
abstract: The aim of this study was to quantify time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel. Following a systematic review, two studies were identified and matched for occupation and age (n = 669) with time changes in 12 absolute and 11 proportional body dimensions assessed between 1977 and 2010-12. Changes in means were expressed as absolute, percent and standardised changes, with changes in variability assessed visually and as the ratio of coefficients of variation (CVs). Time changes in absolute dimensions were typically positive (increases) and moderate in magnitude (median standardised change ± 95%CI: 0.53 ± 0.23), and while changes in proportional dimensions were typically negligible (median standardised change ± 95%CI: 0.16 ± 0.33), substantial changes (standardised changes ≥0.2 or ≤-0.2) were observed in several dimensions. Variability in body dimensions has also typically increased (median ratio of CVs ± 95%CI: 1.10 ± 0.07) and become more right-skewed. These findings have important implications for the design and acquisition of new military vehicles, body equipment and clothing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Education, University of North Dakota, 2751 2nd Avenue North, Stop 8235, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Health Sciences & Sansom Institute for Health Research, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: grant.tomkinson@und.edu.
authors.forename: Grant R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Tomkinson
authors.affiliation: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Health Sciences & Sansom Institute for Health Research, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: nathan.daniell@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daniell
authors.affiliation: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Health Sciences & Sansom Institute for Health Research, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: ashley.fulton@mymail.unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.affiliation: Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), 506 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia. Electronic address: alistair.Furnell@dsto.defence.gov.au.
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furnell
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001315:Australia; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Anthropometry; Military; Time changes