Use of Arm Span as Proxy Indicator of Stature- An Anthropometric Study in Western U.P.

ABSTRACT

Background: Arm span is the most reliable anthropometric parameter to predict the body height of an individual. It is useful in predicting the age related loss in stature and in identifying individuals with disproportionate growth abnormalities and skeletal dysplasia. Previous studies show that stature can be measured effectively from various body parameters and length of long bones also. However, the relation between arm span and height was found to vary from race to race. The present study was undertaken to measure the stature as well as arm span and to determine whether there is any correlation between the stature and the arm span. Methods: This study was carried out with a total number of 400 subjects of Teerthanker Mahaveer University, 200 male and female each, age range (18-25). Stature was measured with the Stadiometer and arm span was measured using steel tape. The relationships between body height and arm span were determined using correlation coefficients. Then a linear regression analysis was evaluated to examine the extent to which arm span can reliably predict body height. Results: The results have shown the mean of arm span for the male subjects was 175.03± 7.00cm and the height 168.13±5.89 cm, while female arm span 159.01±6.32 cm and height 156.00±5.61cm. The arm span was consistently more than height. The arm span exceeded stature in 87.5% of the participants.Conclusion: There is a good correlation between body height and arm span.