Identification of the Ergonomic Properties of Exercise Equipment in Parks with an Emphasis on the Anthropometric Characteristics of Iranian Women: A Case Study of Leg Press Machines

ABSTARCT: Background and aim: Ergonomics is the study of adapting environmental conditions and equipment with the users and anthropometrics is the study of the measurements and proportions of human body. With the help of anthropometric measurements, we can obtain noteworthy information regarding the proportions of the body that can help in meeting regional and international standards. The purpose of the present research was to identify the ergonomic properties of outdoor leg press machines with an emphasis on the anthropometric indices of Iranian women. Procedure: In the present research certain anthropometric indices of 140 women and the dimensions required for the leg press machine were measured. Then, the dimensions of this machine were evaluated taking into account the related percentiles and the position of body on the machine. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the horizontal and vertical distance between the seat pad and the heel and the dimensions of the leg press machine for the 95th percentile of the users (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the hip width of the 95th percentile and the seat pad width of the machine (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the horizontal distance between the right and the left foot of the 95th percentile of the users and the horizontal distance between the foot plates of the device (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was concluded that the horizontal distance from the seat pad to the foot plates of the leg press machine is small and their vertical distance is large for the female users. The results not only suggest the lack of anthropometric and ergonomic suitability of the leg press machines, but also underlie the necessity of observing the standards in design and construction of exercise equipment.